Biden and Trump administrations repeatedly asked SpaceX to activate or disable Starlink in Iran, Ukraine, Yemen and Lebanon, officials say

The Biden and Trump administrations repeatedly asked SpaceX to turn Starlink on or off in several countries, Reuters reported, citing six former senior U.S. officials. The requests came before Ukraine's military access to the satellite communications network was restricted this month.

Under former President Joe Biden, requests included disabling Starlink to prevent resistance groups in Yemen and Lebanon from using it for communications. Four former officials also said the administration asked SpaceX to enable internet access through the service inside Iran and Ukraine in support of its military.

The Trump administration also asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to activate Starlink in Iran following U.S.-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026. A former senior Trump official and another person familiar with the matter said the aim was to improve internet access and communications for anti-government riots.