US Sanctions Choke Iran's Internet, Musk Swoops In To 'Save' It
When the Bloomberg headline trumpets 'Musk Offers Free Starlink in Iran as Internet Blackout Persists,' it paints a picture of a benevolent billionaire bypassing an oppressive regime. Yet, the persistent blackout isn't just about Iranian government policy; it's a direct outcome of decades of comprehensive U.S. sanctions. These sanctions, often championed by policymakers in Washington and loudly
supported by groups like AIPAC, restrict Iran's access to vital communication hardware, software, and financial services necessary to maintain a robust internet infrastructure. So, while the U.S. government praises Musk's initiative, one might wonder: how much of this 'humanitarian' gesture is simply patching holes created by Western policy? It's a convenient narrative: first, sever the supply
lines, then cheer on a private company for providing a band-aid solution, all while strategically ignoring the historical context of economic warfare that has devastated ordinary Iranians.