Iran Arrests Four, Including Two Foreign Nationals, in Starlink Smuggling and Espionage Case
JOLFA, Iran — Iranian authorities have arrested four individuals, including two foreign nationals, in the border city of Jolfa on charges of smuggling Starlink satellite equipment and conducting intelligence activities linked to networks connected to Israel and the United States, according to official reports published April 19, 2026.
The arrests took place in Jolfa, a city in East Azerbaijan province that sits on Iran’s northern border with Azerbaijan. The city is separated from its Azerbaijani namesake, Julfa, by the Aras River, with road and railway bridges linking the two towns. State media identified the foreign detainees as nationals of unspecified countries but alleged they were working with “hostile intelligence services.”
The charges center on the illegal importation of Starlink terminals, the satellite internet system operated by SpaceX, a U.S.-based company. Iran has long sought to block access to Starlink, which it views as a tool for foreign influence and a means to bypass the regime’s strict internet censorship. Tehran has accused Washington of using the technology to foment unrest, particularly during the 2022-2023 nationwide protests, when Starlink was activated over Iran despite U.S. sanctions.
“The detained individuals were involved in bringing Starlink devices into the country and were linked to networks that have direct connections to Israeli and American intelligence agencies,” a spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence stated in a press release carried by the Islamic Republic News Agency. The spokesperson did not provide further details on the alleged intelligence activities or the specific roles of the two foreign nationals.
Jolfa’s location on the border makes it a transit point for both legal trade and illicit smuggling. The city serves as the capital of Jolfa County and the Central District of East Azerbaijan province. The Aras River border has historically been used for smuggling goods, including electronics, into Iran.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as between Iran and Israel. The Biden administration has maintained sanctions on Iran’s telecommunications sector, while also supporting efforts to expand internet freedom for Iranian citizens. In 2022, the U.S. State Department announced it was easing some restrictions to allow for the export of Starlink terminals to Iran, a move Tehran condemned as interference in its internal affairs.
Israeli officials have not commented on the specific allegations in Jolfa. However, Israel has acknowledged conducting covert operations inside Iran, including sabotage and intelligence gathering, as part of its campaign to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities. Iran has repeatedly accused Israel of running spy networks inside the country, often using foreign nationals or dual citizens as intermediaries.
The two foreign nationals arrested in Jolfa have not been publicly identified. Their home countries have not issued statements regarding the detentions, and it remains unclear whether consular access has been granted. Iran’s judiciary has not set a date for any trial proceedings, but under Iranian law, espionage and smuggling of restricted technology can carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences or the death penalty.
This is not the first time Iran has targeted Starlink equipment. In 2023, Iranian authorities arrested several individuals in the southern province of Hormozgan for allegedly using Starlink to communicate with foreign-based opposition groups. The regime has also jammed satellite signals in major cities, including Tehran and Isfahan, to prevent access to the service.
The United States has not officially responded to the latest arrests. The U.S. State Department has previously called on Iran to release foreign detainees held on what Washington describes as “baseless national security charges.” The European Union has also raised 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 that additional arrests are possible. “We will not allow hostile elements to use modern technology to undermine the security of the Islamic Republic,” the ministry spokesperson said.
The arrests in Jolfa highlight the ongoing shadow war between Iran and its adversaries, where satellite technology, border smuggling, and intelligence networks intersect. As Starlink continues to expand its global coverage, the Iranian regime faces an increasingly difficult task in controlling the flow of information across its borders.
