Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has publicly acknowledged that Israel smuggled Starlink satellite internet receivers into Iran as part of an effort to help anti-government protesters circumvent internet restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities. Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem, Bennett said he launched a program during his tenure to acquire and secretly move tens of thousands of Starlink devices into Iran. According to Bennett, the goal was to ensure uninterrupted access to the internet and social media platforms during periods of unrest, enabling demonstrators to communicate, organize and sustain protests against the Iranian government.
The comments mark a rare public admission by a senior Israeli political figure of an alleged covert operation inside Iran. Bennett claimed the initiative was intended to weaken the Iranian leadership by empowering opposition movements and expanding access to uncensored information. However, he criticized the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the effort was not fully implemented after he left office, leaving protesters without the communications infrastructure he had envisioned.
Iran has long accused Israel and the United States of using technology and covert networks to interfere in its internal affairs. The Iranian government has repeatedly shut down or restricted internet access during protests and periods of political instability, including during nationwide demonstrations earlier this year and throughout the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Although Starlink is not officially licensed to operate in Iran, its owner, SpaceX, has previously indicated that the satellite internet service is active in the country, and reports have suggested that some Iranians have relied on the system during internet blackouts.
Why It Matters
Bennett’s disclosure highlights the increasingly important role of technology in modern geopolitical rivalries. Satellite internet services such as Starlink can bypass traditional telecommunications infrastructure, making it more difficult for governments to control information flows during crises. If Bennett’s claims are accurate, the operation would represent one of the most ambitious efforts to use communications technology to support opposition movements inside Iran.
The remarks are also significant because they provide new insight into Israel’s broader strategy toward Iran. Beyond military strikes, cyber operations and intelligence activities, Israeli policymakers appear to have explored methods aimed at undermining the Iranian government from within by facilitating communication among dissidents and protesters. The comments are likely to reinforce Iranian concerns about foreign involvement in domestic unrest and could further strain already tense relations between the two regional adversaries.
The issue also raises questions about the role of private technology companies in geopolitical conflicts. Starlink has become a critical communications tool in several conflict zones and politically sensitive environments, drawing attention to how satellite-based internet services can influence political developments far beyond traditional commercial uses.
Key Stakeholders
- Naftali Bennett, who says he initiated the smuggling operation.
- Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, which Bennett accuses of failing to continue the initiative.
- SpaceX, whose Starlink network was allegedly used to support communications inside Iran.
- Elon Musk, who has previously said Starlink services are active in Iran.
- Iran and its security agencies, which have long sought to control internet access during periods of unrest.
- Iranian opposition activists and protesters, who could benefit from alternative communications networks during government-imposed internet shutdowns.
- Israel, which continues to view Iran as its principal regional security threat.
Future Outlook
Bennett’s comments could trigger a sharp response from Tehran if Iranian authorities interpret them as confirmation of Israeli efforts to interfere in domestic affairs. The revelations may also intensify scrutiny of satellite internet technologies and their role in countries where governments impose strict controls on communications.
Politically, the remarks come as Bennett seeks to position himself as a potential challenger to Netanyahu ahead of elections due by October. His willingness to discuss covert measures against Iran suggests that policy toward Tehran is likely to remain a major issue in Israeli politics. If Bennett returns to power, he indicated that he would pursue additional measures aimed at weakening the Iranian government, including economic and industrial disruption alongside traditional security operations.
More broadly, the episode underscores how future confrontations between Israel and Iran may increasingly extend beyond military action to include cyber capabilities, communications technology, economic pressure and influence operations designed to shape events inside each other’s borders.
With information from Reuters.
