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The
U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued guidance expanding
internet services available to Iranians despite U.S. sanctions
on the country, amid protests around Iran following the death of
a 22-year-old woman in custody.
A Treasury official briefing reporters said: "Our understanding
of Starlink is that what they provide would be commercial grade,
and it would be hardware that's not covered in the general
license; so that would be something they would need to write
into Treasury for."
A U.S. State Department spokesperson later said of Friday's
updated license that it was self-executing and that "anyone who
meets the criteria outlined in this general license can proceed
with their activities without requesting additional
permissions."
Musk could not be reached for comments or clarification
regarding Starlink's clearance to operate in Iran.
Iranians have been protesting over the death of Mahsa Amini last
week while in police custody after being arrested by the
morality police for wearing "unsuitable attire".
Musk said on Monday that the company wanted to provide Starlink
satellite broadband service - already provided to Ukraine for
its fight against Russia's invasion - to Iranians, and would ask
for a sanctions exception.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson added that if SpaceX were
to determine that some activity aimed at Iranians requires a
specific license, "OFAC would welcome it and prioritize it".
"By the same token, if SpaceX determines that its activity is
already authorized and has any questions, OFAC also welcomes
that engagement," the State Department spokesperson said.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru;
additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Shailesh
Kuber and Sandra Maler)
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