Iran summoned Norway's ambassador to Tehran on Sunday to protest Oslo's failure to take action against unauthorized Starlink satellite internet transmissions operating inside Iranian territory.

Mohammad Hassannejad Pirkoohi, director general for international peace and security at Iran's Foreign Ministry, summoned Norwegian Ambassador Paul Beijer Nestad and delivered an official note of protest, the ministry said.

During the meeting, Pirkoohi accused the United States and Israel of using the Starlink network to pursue "interventionist activities" against Iran.

He also criticized Norway for what Iranian officials said was a failure to fulfill its obligations as the country responsible for registering the Starlink network with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

“Based on the decisions of the ITU's Radio Regulations Board in recent years, the Norwegian government is obligated to take the necessary measures to prevent unauthorized Starlink transmissions within Iran's territory,” Pirkoohi said, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The Iranian official said Tehran had repeatedly raised the issue with Oslo but that Norway had taken no effective measures to halt the transmissions.

Pirkoohi called on the Norwegian government to respond immediately to Iran's demands and take steps to stop activities threatening Iran's national security and territorial sovereignty.

Iran has increasingly raised concerns over the presence and use of Starlink terminals inside the country, particularly amid heightened tensions with the United States and Israel.

Iranian officials have alleged that unauthorized satellite communications could provide channels for intelligence gathering, cyber operations and communications beyond the reach of Iranian telecommunications authorities. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Tehran links Starlink to January unrest

The latest diplomatic protest follows reports that the United States covertly facilitated the transfer of Starlink equipment to Iran during unrest in January 2026.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the Trump administration had arranged for thousands of Starlink terminals to enter Iran during the unrest, according to US officials. The reported operation involved the acquisition of thousands of terminals by the US government, with most of the purchases made in January.

According to reports cited by Iranian and regional media, approximately 6,000 Starlink kits were subsequently moved into Iran.

The reported deployment came as Iranian authorities were attempting to contain demonstrations that Tehran said had been exploited by foreign-backed groups. Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of supporting efforts to destabilize the country, allegations Washington and its allies have rejected.

Iran has also previously seized Starlink-related equipment that it said was being brought into the country without authorization.

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, provides satellite internet connectivity directly to terminals without relying on conventional terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. The service has been used in several conflict zones and during communications disruptions, making it an increasingly important component of modern communications and military operations.

Tehran's latest protest places the Starlink issue at the center of a broader dispute between Iran and Western governments over sovereignty, telecommunications and the use of satellite technology.

Iran is demanding that Norway, as the country Tehran says has regulatory responsibilities under the relevant ITU framework, take measures to prevent unauthorized Starlink transmissions inside Iranian territory. (ILKHA)