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)

• 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)

• 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)

• WhatsApp’s vow:

  • “WhatsApp said it would do whatever it can to keep 100 million users inside Russia connected.”
    (Danny Lewis, 01:54)

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.