Iranian authorities have reportedly cut off approximately 40,000 Starlink satellite internet connections as part of efforts to stop what it calls "US-Israeli terrorist operations" within the country.

In a report aired on Tuesday, IRIB linked the move to Iran’s nationwide internet blackout, saying satellite-based connections had been used by what it called hostile networks, The Caspian Post reports, citing Iran International.

The broadcaster portrayed the protests as foreign-backed, blaming the United States and Israel for what it described as a campaign of unrest.