Starlink secures license to operate in Iraq, Musk says

Elon Musk said on Monday that SpaceX's Starlink has received approval to operate in Iraq, announcing the development on his social media platform X. The license clears the way for satellite-based internet service to be offered across the country, according to his post. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and U.S. Special Envoy for Iraq Tom Barrack welcomed the approval of the Starlink license. Details on the scope of the license and the timeline for launching commercial service were not immediately provided. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, delivers internet connectivity through a constellation of low-earth-orbit satellites and has been expanding its coverage globally. The approval is expected to extend internet access to rural parts of Iraq where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited. No further details on regulatory terms or service rollout were immediately available.