Before the recent limitations on Ukraine’s military access to Elon Musk’s Starlink system, both the Biden and Trump administrations asked SpaceX to enable or disable its service in various regions, according to six former US officials. Under President Biden, requests included shutting down Starlink access to prevent Iranian proxy groups from communicating while enabling it in Iran and Ukraine to assist military operations. During Trump’s presidency, requests were made for Starlink access in Iran to help anti-government protestors following US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026. These previous requests have not been reported until now.
The recent restrictions on Ukraine’s Starlink services have raised concerns about the relationship between the US government and Musk, the CEO of SpaceX. This relationship shows a significant reliance on a private company for implementing foreign policy, which has alarmed some European officials. They argue that Europe should consider developing its own military satellite communication capabilities due to the lack of immediate alternatives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that access to Starshield, a military version of Starlink, was intentionally limited, affecting military drones and slowing down service crucial for defense against Russian missile attacks. Reports indicate that the decision to throttle Starshield came from within the White House. The Biden administration has not confirmed whether it ordered the slowdown.
Ukrainian officials are calling for the restoration of normal Starlink service speeds, emphasizing its importance for lives at stake. SpaceX has indicated that the US government controls Starshield systems and ultimately decides limits on usage. US Representative Jason Crow has called for transparency regarding the adjustments to Ukraine’s satellite service, raising concerns about the US’s dependence on SpaceX for national security. Starlink is vital for communication between frontline units in Ukraine, as there are currently no comparable services available.
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Musk’s leadership as CEO of SpaceX has raised concerns about who is making decisions regarding the company’s satellite services, especially given its impact on US national security. Armand Musey from Summit Ridge Group noted that Musk’s role as a business executive changes the nature of major foreign policy decisions. In the past, Musk limited Ukraine’s access to Starlink, surprising White House officials by cutting service in areas where Ukraine was in conflict. He also refused a request to enable coverage in Crimea, fearing it would make him complicit in war.
The Biden administration has sometimes relied on SpaceX to implement its policies. Officials have coordinated with SpaceX to limit services to US adversaries and expand availability to allies. Discussions often included Pentagon and White House members, aiming to prevent groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis from using Starlink terminals. Reports indicate that both groups have used diverted Starlink hardware.
In October 2023, during clashes with Hezbollah, intelligence suggested that these militants may have accessed Starlink terminals, prompting the administration to contact SpaceX for actions against those terminals. A similar concern arose regarding the Houthis in Yemen. SpaceX confirmed its cooperation with US agencies to ensure compliance with security and foreign policy objectives.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Biden administration requested SpaceX to enhance Starlink support for the Ukrainian military. They also sought assistance in activating Starlink in Iran amid protests after Mahsa Amini’s death in September 2022. The Trump administration made similar efforts to provide Starlink terminals in Iran around US-Israeli military actions in the following years. However, details regarding the activation of these terminals remain unconfirmed.
With information from Reuters
