Addressing the UN Security Council Arria-Formula meeting about “Risks and Challenges Emanating from Uncontrolled Use of Low Earth Orbit Satellites”, held in New York on December 29, ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Iran to the UN Gholamhossein Darzi warned against the growing risks and challenges associated with the unchecked deployment and use of LEO satellite systems, particularly their role in military operations, interference in sovereign affairs, and erosion of international regulatory norms.
The full text of his statement is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Mr. Chair,
Distinguished Colleagues,
I thank the Russian Federation for convening this Arria-formula meeting on the “risks and challenges arising from the uncontrolled use of Low Earth Orbit satellites”, an issue that has a direct impact on international peace and security. We also thank the distinguished panelist for their insightful presentations.
The rapid proliferation of LEO satellite systems, including large-scale constellations, has fundamentally altered the strategic landscape of outer space.
Enabled by low-cost production, reusable launch capabilities, inter-satellite links, and portable user terminals, these systems offer global coverage, resilience, and low-latency connectivity.
However, when left uncontrolled, these same characteristics become sources of instability, insecurity and interference in other countries’ affairs.
Unregulated LEO satellite systems blur the distinction between civilian and military uses, undermine State sovereignty, and create legal and accountability gaps that are increasingly exploited.
Mr. Chair,
A clear and alarming illustration of these risks emerged during the unlawful military aggression cases like the 12-day aggression by Israeli regime on Iran. During the aggression, the commercial satellite internet and communications services were used to support offensive military platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft, intelligence, and targeting systems.
This is not neutral use of technology. It is uncontrolled and unauthorized operation of a commercial LEO satellite system within the territory of a sovereign State. Such use facilitates precision attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure, amounting to serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Mr. Chair,
Satellite internet systems are increasingly relevant to discussions on security, stability, and emerging technologies. While they offer important civilian benefits, they should remain subject to international law. The risks are compounded by clear violations of international regulatory frameworks. In the absence of effective regulatory control, LEO satellite systems can become force multipliers in armed conflict and instruments of aggression.
According to fundamental principles of international telecommunications law, the provision of telecommunications services within the territory of a State, including satellite internet, requires the authorization of that State. Sovereignty over national telecommunications infrastructure remains a core principle of the international regulatory framework and is essential to prevent technical interference and regulatory disorder.
Under the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union, satellite operators are prohibited from providing communication services within the territory of a State without its authorization. The applicable legal framework is well established. The ITU Radio Regulations, a binding international treaty, governs the use of radio frequencies and satellite systems.
Article 18 of the Regulation requires that transmitting stations be licensed by the competent national authority, a requirement that applies equally to satellite user terminals. Resolution 22 of the World Radiocommunication Conference complements this provision by addressing unauthorized uplink transmissions and recalling the responsibility of administrations and operators to ensure that satellite systems are used only by authorized earth stations.
Mr. Chair,
Allow me to briefly share Iran’s experience in addressing unauthorized satellite internet services through established multilateral mechanisms, in a spirit of transparency and experience-sharing.
Ever Since, the Starlink system has repeatedly provided unauthorized services within Iranian territory.
Beginning in 2023, Iran formally brought this matter before the ITU Radio Regulations Board. Iran submitted formal complaints to the Radio Regulations Board, supported by technical measurements demonstrating that Starlink terminals were transmitting from within Iranian territory without authorization.
Over a series of meetings, the Board confirmed the applicability of Article 18 and Resolution 22. Through multiple decisions, the Board ruled in favor of Iran and instructed the operator and the notifying administration to immediately cease such unauthorized services.
Since then, the Board repeatedly expressed grave concern at the continuation of unauthorized transmissions and strongly urged corrective action by the Administration of Norway, as the notifying administration for the relevant satellite systems providing STARLINK services, and the Administration of the United States, as an associated administration to the notifying administration.
It further affirmed that compliance with the Radio Regulations is not conditional upon the affected administration’s ability to identify individual user terminals.
In parallel, Iran addressed formal communications to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of the Security Council, the International Telecommunication Union, and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. The issue was also raised in relevant multilateral fora, including COPUOS, the Conference on Disarmament, and the First Committee of the General Assembly, in order to highlight broader risks associated with unregulated satellite internet activities.
However, these binding decisions are yet to be respected and fully implemented. The failure to act, reflects not a technical limitation, but a lack of political will and blatant violation of international law.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, International law does not permit States to outsource responsibility to commercial actors. When States fail to exercise due diligence over satellite systems operating under their jurisdiction, responsibility arises, by omission as well as by commission.
Iran’s experience demonstrates that satellite internet services do not operate in a legal vacuum.
Uncontrolled LEO satellite systems risk transforming outer space into a domain of confrontation, eroding trust among States and undermining international law and established multilateral regulatory frameworks.
We share this experience in the hope that it will contribute constructively to ongoing discussions on this critical issue.
Thank you.