Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett acknowledged on Tuesday that Israel had smuggled Starlink internet receivers into Iran to aid anti-government protesters. However, he stated that the current Netanyahu government failed to follow through with these plans.
Bennett told an audience at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem that he initiated a process of acquiring and smuggling tens of thousands of Starlink receptors into Iran. These devices were intended to provide internet and social network access for protesters, enabling them to coordinate efforts to topple the Iranian government.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides satellite internet connections but is not licensed to operate in Iran. Despite this, Bennett said the service was active there.
Bennett criticized the current Israeli government for stopping these plans and noted that when protests occurred, the necessary infrastructure was absent. The Netanyahu office did not immediately respond to questions about Bennett’s remarks, and SpaceX declined comment outside of US business hours.
Iranian authorities have shut down internet access during periods of unrest, including nationwide protests in January and throughout the ongoing conflict with Israel since late February. Some Iranians used Starlink during these blackouts, according to reports.
Bennett, a right-wing party leader and one of several opposition politicians aiming to replace Netanyahu in October elections, said he would work to undermine Iran’s government if he returned to power. This could include measures such as economic sabotage, short of direct military attacks.