Iranian Islamic Republic security forces have detained at least 13 citizens in Gilan Province over the past six months for keeping or using Starlink equipment.

The head of the Economic Security Police in Gilan has also said that 36 Starlink devices were seized during these encounters; equipment that enables direct connection to satellite internet and bypassing the government’s internet filtering network.

Crackdowns on Starlink users are continuing while the Islamic Republic has, for years, used internet restrictions, social media filtering, and cutting communications as tools to control society and curb the flow of information.