Iran says Elon Musk's business interests in Middle East are military targets
According to the state-affiliated Fars news agency, the designation includes SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service and its regional ground stations
Iranian state media said on Friday that the Islamic Republic now considers all of billionaire Elon Musk's commercial interests in the Middle East to be military targets, marking a further escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington.
According to the Iran state-affiliated Fars news agency, the designation includes SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service and its regional ground stations. Iranian sources said Tehran is targeting "all interests related to economic holdings managed by Elon Musk in West Asia", including regional Starlink ground stations.
Iran justified the move by alleging that Musk-managed companies support US military operations, including the use of attack drones and unmanned strike vessels, and are complicit in what it described as US "war crimes". An "informed source" cited by Fars said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to attack all facilities related to [Musk]-managed holdings in the region and occupied territories."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The announcement comes amid heightened hostilities between the United States and Iran following a series of retaliatory military strikes between the two countries.
Tensions increased after US President Donald Trump accused Iran of downing a US Army helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. The accusation was followed by US missile strikes and a warning from Trump that Washington could seize Iranian oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island. In a social media post, Trump warned that the US would attack Iran "VERY HARD TONIGHT".
Trump also said the US intended to seize control of Kharg Island and "other oil infrastructure points". In a Fox News interview, he defended recent military action, saying, "We dropped $250 million worth of bombs on them last night".
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has previously threatened other major US technology companies, including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft and Google, according to Iranian media reports.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House also had not issued an official response to the threats reported by Fars.
