Iraqi Communications and Media Commission Signs Formal Agreement with Starlink

Washington

The Communications and Media Commission announced the signing of an official agreement with Starlink to introduce satellite internet services to Iraq. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to Washington, as part of an economic agreement package valued at $60 billion.

Questions Over Sovereign Implications

While the government describes these agreements as the fruit of negotiations to enhance infrastructure, expanding such deals—especially with American tech giants—represents a submission to foreign policies that could impact national decision-making and gain control over vital sectors in the country.

Coinciding with this announcement, former Minister of Communications and current MP Hiyam Al-Yasiri issued strongly-worded warnings, emphasizing that this step raises existential security concerns. She revealed official objections raised by the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) and the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS).

She stressed that this technology could pose a direct threat to national security and the privacy of citizens' data, warning of the risks involved in allowing foreign entities to control the telecommunications sector and sensitive data in Iraq.