Iranian Authorities Detain Four Individuals in Jolfa for Alleged Starlink Smuggling and Intelligence Activities
In the city of Jolfa, East Azerbaijan province, Iranian authorities have taken four individuals into custody on charges of illegally importing Starlink satellite equipment and engaging in intelligence activities linked to entities connected to the United States and Israel. The arrests took place in April 2026, as reported by official sources on the 19th. Jolfa, situated on the northern border with Azerbaijan, is a significant hub for trade and, at times, illicit smuggling.
The detainees include two foreign nationals, whose specific countries of origin remain undisclosed, but are alleged to have collaborated with “hostile intelligence services.” The central accusation revolves around the clandestine importation of Starlink terminals, a satellite internet system operated by SpaceX, an American corporation. Iran has long sought to prevent access to Starlink, viewing it as a means of foreign influence and a tool to circumvent the country’s stringent internet censorship.
Iranian officials have accused Washington of exploiting the technology to foment unrest, particularly during the 2022-2023 nationwide protests, during which Starlink was activated over Iran despite US sanctions. The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence’s spokesperson declared that the detained individuals had been involved in bringing Starlink devices into the country and were linked to networks with direct connections to Israeli and American intelligence agencies. The spokesperson did not provide further details regarding the alleged intelligence activities or the exact roles of the two foreign nationals.
The Aras River border has historically been utilized for smuggling goods, including electronics, into Iran. The arrests are taking place amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as Iran and Israel.
The US State Department eased restrictions on Starlink terminal exports to Iran in 2022, a move that Iran condemned as intervention in its internal affairs. Israeli officials have not commented on the specific allegations in Jolfa, although Israel has acknowledged conducting covert operations within Iran, including espionage and sabotage, as part of its efforts to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities. Iran has repeatedly accused Israel of running spy networks within the country, often employing foreign nationals or dual citizens as intermediaries. The identities of the two foreign nationals detained in Jolfa have not been made public.
Their home countries have not issued statements concerning the arrests, and it remains unclear whether consular access has been granted. Iran’s judiciary has yet to schedule any trial proceedings, but under Iranian law, espionage and smuggling of restricted technology can result in severe penalties, including extended prison sentences or the death penalty.
This is not the first time Iran has targeted Starlink equipment. In 2023, several individuals were arrested in the southern province of Hormozgan for allegedly using Starlink to communicate with foreign-based opposition groups. The United States has not formally responded to the latest arrests.
The US State Department has previously called for the release of foreign detainees held on what Washington describes as “baseless national security charges.” The European Union has also expressed concerns about the treatment of dual nationals detained in Iran, though no EU member state has confirmed whether its citizens are among those arrested in Jolfa. Iran’s intelligence ministry stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are possible.
“We will not tolerate hostile elements using modern technology to undermine the security of the Islamic Republic,” the ministry spokesperson said. The arrests in Jolfa underscore the ongoing covert conflict between Iran and its adversaries, where satellite technology, border smuggling, and intelligence networks intersect.
