Israel Smuggled Starlink Systems into Iran, Says Former PM
Naftali Bennett claims the initiative aimed to preserve internet access during unrest, but alleges the effort was later abandoned.
Jerusalem, Jun 24: Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has claimed that Israel covertly facilitated the entry of thousands of Starlink satellite internet receivers into Iran as part of an effort to maintain communications during periods of political unrest.
Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Bennett said the initiative was launched during his tenure as prime minister between 2021 and 2022. According to him, the plan involved acquiring and discreetly transferring tens of thousands of Starlink devices into Iran to help ensure continued access to internet services and social media platforms in the event of government-imposed shutdowns.
Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides internet connectivity through a satellite network. Iranian authorities have previously accused Israel and the United States of facilitating the entry of such equipment into the country, allegations linked to concerns over national security. Although the service is not officially licensed in Iran, Musk has stated in the past that Starlink is active there.
Bennett said the project was intended to allow demonstrators to stay connected and organize during anti-government protests. However, he criticized the current Israeli leadership, alleging that the programme was not pursued after he left office, leaving the infrastructure incomplete when large-scale protests later emerged.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately comment on Bennett’s remarks, while SpaceX was unavailable for comment outside normal U.S. business hours.
Iran has repeatedly restricted internet access during periods of domestic unrest and regional conflict. During recent blackouts, some Iranian citizens reportedly relied on satellite-based internet services to remain connected.
Bennett also called for greater regional cooperation to counter Iran’s leadership, arguing that governments across the Middle East should work together to challenge Tehran’s ruling establishment. He expressed confidence that the Iranian political system would eventually face significant internal pressure and change.
