CIA-Founded NGO Confirms Use of Starlink Satellites in Iran During Civil Unrest
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), headquartered in the United States, reportedly deployed approximately 200 Starlink devices in Iran amidst the recent unrest, as disclosed by NED President Damon Wilson during a congressional hearing. However, representatives interrupted Wilson, asserting that the matter was not appropriate for discussion at the hearing.
On Tuesday, Wilson revealed that the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) had “initiated support for the deployment and operation of approximately 200 Starlink units” during the initial stages of the riots. However, Representative Lois Frankel interjected, suggesting, “I am going to interrupt you, we better not discuss that.”
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), established by the Central Intelligence Agency, asserts its mission to bolster political and civil society projects internationally. Wilson recently disclosed that the organization played a role in influencing media narratives surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran in September 2022, an event that triggered foreign-supported unrest in Iran.
In September 2022, an Iranian woman named Amini passed away in a hospital following a collapse at a police station in Tehran. Her death triggered a series of anti-government protests across Iran, which authorities attributed to foreign interference.
He stated that NED collaborators assisted in disseminating that story globally and in reintroducing it into Iran.
He described the organization as a significant force responsible for the recent riots in September, during which armed rioters unleashed chaos across several Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of police officers and civilians, as well as the burning of mosques and various public and private properties.
The president of the National Endowment for Democracy elaborated on the group’s alliances with non-governmental organizations and media networks, highlighting efforts to amplify narratives attributing resource mismanagement, such as water issues in Tehran, to the Iranian government.
Protests that began in early January 2026 started peacefully as citizens expressed discontent over economic issues, such as currency devaluation. However, the situation intensified into violent riots following the involvement of foreign-backed actors.
Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan has revealed that individuals in custody have admitted to receiving financial compensation in US dollars from overseas sources. Additionally, the detainees reportedly possessed weapons and explosives with the intent to carry out attacks on their designated targets.
According to recent reports, groups with alleged ties to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, alongside separatist factions from northern Iraq, have reportedly infiltrated what began as peaceful demonstrations. These activities have been marked by attacks on government structures, police facilities, marketplaces, and religious venues.
The civil unrest led to significant damage, with hundreds of mosques, government offices, and other public infrastructure being destroyed.
Wilson highlighted efforts by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in international campaigns, including initiatives in Bolivia to prevent Russian dominance over lithium resources and media training in Nicaragua designed to challenge the local government.
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), established in 1982 with the support of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has a history of involvement in various countries, often in the name of advancing democratic values.
In 1991, co-founder Allen Weinstein acknowledged that much of the organization’s current activities were performed covertly by the CIA 25 years prior.
Wilson expressed pride in the legacy, noting that the National Endowment for Democracy’s recent initiatives in Iran represent the organization’s “fastest-growing program” and rank among its largest worldwide.
