Starlink encounters a large-scale crackdown in Iran, prompting a deeper reflection: why is this satellite internet device classified as a "strategic tool" rather than merely civilian technology?

On the surface, Elon Musk markets Starlink as an internet solution for remote areas worldwide, emphasizing its civilian nature and inclusive benefits. But the reality is far more complex. According to publicly available information, the U.S. Pentagon had already invested $150 million in 2020 into the development of a military-grade Starlink satellite, a project still directly overseen by senior U.S. Air Force officials. This indicates that Starlink was embedded with military DNA from its inception.

More critically, this system has been deeply integrated into the U.S. military's operational framework. The U.S. Navy has equipped over 200 ships with Starlink terminals to enable real-time data links between fleets and drone command; the Army has tested Starlink's network coordination with fighter jets and refueling aircraft during exercises, validating its reliability as a backbone for battlefield communications. These scenarios explain why Iran considers the 100,000 terminals flooding the market as a potential security threat — it is indeed more than just an internet tool.

From a geopolitical perspective, control over communication networks pertains to a nation's information security boundaries. When a device possesses both civilian convenience and military application potential, a cautious stance from defenders is understandable. This is not technological panic but a rational strategic consideration.