Trump plans to speak with Elon Musk about restoring Internet in Iran amid ongoing protests
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just announced he’s talking to ELON MUSK about giving the Iranian people STARLINK while they rise up against the evil regime!
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 12, 2026
“I’m going to call him as soon as I’m finished with you. We may get the Internet going… We may speak to Elon. Because he’s… pic.twitter.com/PYGYlLTgta
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Sunday, January 11, that he plans to speak with tech billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran. Authorities have blacked out services for four days amid ongoing anti-government protests.
The flow of information from Iran has been severely restricted following an internet blackout that began on Thursday, January 8, amid massive protests against the country’s clerical establishment that have continued since 2022.
Trump says Elon Musk has 'a very good company'
In response to a question about whether he would engage with Elon Musk's SpaceX company, Donald Trump said, "He's very good at that kind of thing, he's got a very good company." SpaceX offers a satellite internet service, called Starlink, that has been used in Iran.
The Tesla CEO has supported providing Starlink to Iranians to help them avoid the government's restrictions, including amid previous protests in 2022.
At that time, the Biden government engaged with Musk to set up Starlink in Iran after the country was engulfed by protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Similarly, the Starlink satellite service has been used in other affected regions such as Ukraine, where the SpaceX CEO reportedly ordered a shutdown of Starlink during a pivotal Ukrainian offensive in 2022.
Iran's current protests started on December 28, 2025, in response to soaring prices, before turning against their rulers who have governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The protest has led to the deaths of hundreds of people, rights groups estimate.
Iran warns US of attacks on bases if Trump acts
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned President Trump that the US military base in the country could be considered a legitimate target as a response to Trump’s earlier warning.
During a broadcast featured on the Iranian state television, Qalibaf addressed Trump’s earlier warning to Iran. The parliament speaker responded, saying if America launched a military attack, both the occupied territory of Israel and the US military and maritime centers would be their "legitimate targets".
"Within the framework of legitimate defense, we do not limit ourselves to reacting after an attack, " Qalibaf added.
Meanwhile, the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, also addressed the nation, vowing to address the country’s economic situation amidst ongoing protests. He urged protesters not to merge with the rioters.
"If the people have concerns, it is our duty to resolve their concerns, but the higher duty is that we must not allow a group of rioters to come and disrupt the entire society," the Iranian president said.
He also confronted the role America and Israel were playing, claiming that the two countries were attempting to create a riot by telling people that they had their support.
