WSJ Tech News Briefing – Tech Minute: U.S. Smuggled Thousands of Starlink Terminals Into Iran
Airdate: February 12, 2026
Host: Danny Lewis
Episode Overview
In this brisk Tech Minute update, WSJ’s Danny Lewis unpacks three major tech developments: the secret U.S. operation to smuggle Starlink satellite internet into Iran, Russia’s crackdown on Western messaging apps, and SoftBank’s massive bet on OpenAI. The episode delivers high-impact headlines, spotlighting geopolitical tensions, tech freedom, and big-money maneuvers in AI.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. U.S. Smuggles Starlink Into Iran
[00:33–01:30]
- Story: The U.S. government covertly delivered ~6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran in the aftermath of state suppression of recent protests.
- “We exclusively report that the Trump administration covertly sent thousands of Elon Musk's Starlink terminals into Iran after the regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrations last month.” (Danny Lewis, 00:34)
- Purpose: Goal was to keep dissidents and protesters online despite Iran’s attempts to shut down internet access.
- Legal grey zone: In Iran, owning Starlink equipment is illegal; this is the first direct, U.S.-led effort to smuggle Starlink into the country.
- Political posture:
- U.S. officials deny involvement in the uprising itself.
- The White House declined to comment on the operation.
2. Russia Clamps Down on Western Messaging Apps
[01:30–02:06]
- WhatsApp & Telegram targeted:
- The Kremlin now blocking WhatsApp (Meta) and throttling Telegram.
- Russian authorities cite refusal by tech companies to comply with local restrictions.
- Moscow’s Agenda:
- Aiming to steer citizens toward a state-run app “that offers no encryption.”
- Heightened concerns over surveillance and censorship.
- Reactions:
- WhatsApp pledged: “it would do whatever it can to keep 100 million users inside Russia connected.” (Danny Lewis, 01:54)
- Telegram’s founder criticized Russia for forcing citizens towards “an app, quote, built for surveillance and political censorship.” (Danny Lewis quoting Telegram founder, 02:01)
3. SoftBank Goes All-In on OpenAI
[02:06–02:31]
- Financial Moves:
- SoftBank took on $27 billion in debt late 2025 to fund a headline-making $22.5 billion investment in OpenAI.
- Sold billions in T-Mobile shares to support the deal.
- Returns:
- Reported $1.6 billion in Q4 profit, largely from the booming value of earlier OpenAI investments.
- Industry impact:
- SoftBank’s stake: now 11% of OpenAI, second only to Microsoft.
- Signals confidence in generative AI and the economic clout of foundational models.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Breaking the story:
- “We exclusively report that the Trump administration covertly sent thousands of Elon Musk's Starlink terminals into Iran...”
(Danny Lewis, 00:34)
- “We exclusively report that the Trump administration covertly sent thousands of Elon Musk's Starlink terminals into Iran...”
-
On Iran’s tight controls:
- “It's the first time the US has directly sent Starlink into Iran, where owning one of the terminals is illegal.”
(Danny Lewis, 00:52)
- “It's the first time the US has directly sent Starlink into Iran, where owning one of the terminals is illegal.”
-
Telegram’s pointed response to Russia:
- “Telegram's founder said Russia was forcing its citizens to switch to an app, quote, built for surveillance and political censorship.”
(Danny Lewis quoting Telegram, 02:01)
- “Telegram's founder said Russia was forcing its citizens to switch to an app, quote, built for surveillance and political censorship.”
-
WhatsApp’s vow:
- “WhatsApp said it would do whatever it can to keep 100 million users inside Russia connected.”
(Danny Lewis, 01:54)
- “WhatsApp said it would do whatever it can to keep 100 million users inside Russia connected.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:33] – Introduction and headlines
- [00:34–01:30] – Starlink smuggling into Iran
- [01:30–02:06] – Russia blocks WhatsApp and throttles Telegram
- [02:06–02:31] – SoftBank’s OpenAI investment revealed
Tone & Style
The episode is fast-paced, concise, and direct—delivering breaking news with minimal editorializing, focused on high-impact facts that drive home the global significance of these tech developments.
For more analysis on these stories, listeners are encouraged to tune in to the longer Tech News Briefing.
