By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has revealed that Israel once carried out a covert effort to smuggle thousands of Starlink satellite internet receivers into Iran with the goal of helping anti-government protesters remain connected during periods of internet censorship and state-imposed blackouts.
Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Bennett said the operation was launched during his tenure as prime minister and was designed to provide Iranian citizens with alternative internet access in the event that authorities shut down communications networks. According to Bennett, the initiative involved acquiring and secretly transporting tens of thousands of Starlink receivers into Iran, creating a communications infrastructure that could support social media access and online coordination among protesters.
Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by and owned by entrepreneur , allows users to access high-speed internet through satellites rather than traditional ground-based networks. Because of this capability, the technology has become a powerful tool in regions where governments restrict or monitor internet access.
Bennett said the broader objective of the operation was not merely to maintain communications but to strengthen the ability of Iranian opposition groups and demonstrators to organize protests against the government. He argued that access to unrestricted internet services could have played a significant role in mobilizing dissent and increasing pressure on Iran’s leadership.
However, Bennett criticized the current administration of Israeli Prime Minister , claiming that the project was halted after he left office. According to Bennett, the infrastructure that had been planned was never fully implemented, leaving protesters without the communications support that had been envisioned.
“Unfortunately, the current government stopped pursuing the initiative,” Bennett told attendees. He suggested that when major protests later erupted inside Iran, the communications network intended to support demonstrators was not in place.
The remarks represent one of the most direct acknowledgments by a senior Israeli political figure regarding alleged efforts to use technology as part of a broader strategy to challenge the Iranian government. Bennett has long been a vocal critic of Tehran and has consistently advocated a tougher regional approach toward Iran.
Iran has repeatedly accused both Israel and the United States of attempting to undermine its security through covert activities, including the introduction of communication technologies that bypass government controls. Iranian authorities have frequently imposed internet restrictions during periods of unrest, particularly during nationwide protests and throughout the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Despite Starlink not being officially licensed to operate in Iran, reports over recent years have indicated that some Iranians have managed to access the service through smuggled equipment. During communication blackouts, satellite internet has often been viewed by activists and opposition groups as one of the few remaining ways to communicate with the outside world.
Neither Netanyahu’s office nor SpaceX immediately commented on Bennett’s statements. The claims are likely to draw attention across the region, particularly given ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran and the increasing role that technology plays in modern geopolitical conflicts.
Bennett, who currently leads a right-wing opposition party and is widely viewed as a potential challenger to Netanyahu in Israel’s next election, also called for closer cooperation among Middle Eastern nations opposed to Iran’s government. He argued that regional states should work together to counter Tehran’s influence and support political change within the country.
Predicting that Iran’s current leadership will eventually collapse under internal pressures, Bennett compared the situation to the fall of the Soviet Union, telling the audience that authoritarian systems can appear strong until they suddenly unravel.
His comments highlight the growing importance of satellite communications technology in international politics, where access to information and internet connectivity has increasingly become a strategic tool alongside traditional military and diplomatic measures.
As tensions between Israel and Iran continue, Bennett’s disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the covert technological efforts that may be unfolding behind the scenes in one of the Middle East’s most enduring rivalries.
Source Reuters
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