Iraq's transport minister says no direct Starlink contract signed with government

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Transport Minister Mustafa Jabbar Sanad said the government has not signed a direct operational agreement with Starlink for satellite internet services in the country. Speaking on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Sanad confirmed that EarthLink is serving as an intermediary in the process of bringing Starlink to Iraq. The minister sought to clarify earlier reports suggesting a direct deal between Starlink and the Iraqi government, stating that no contract was signed directly by the Communications Ministry. He defined EarthLink's role as limited to facilitating the rollout of the service in the Iraqi market and handling the required regulatory procedures. Sanad's remarks address recent speculation about the structure of Iraq's partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet venture operated by SpaceX. The arrangement positions EarthLink, rather than the Iraqi government, as the contracting party responsible for bringing the service to market. No further details were immediately available about the terms of the arrangement or the timeline for Starlink's commercial launch in Iraq.