Former Israeli PM Bennett Reveals Israel Smuggled Starlink Systems Into Iran

Jerusalem (Daily Urdu) Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has revealed that during his tenure, Israel secretly smuggled Starlink satellite internet receivers into Iran to help anti-government protesters maintain access to the internet and social media.

Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem, Bennett, who served as Israel's prime minister from 2021 to 2022, said his government launched an operation to obtain and smuggle "thousands of Starlink receivers" into Iran, enabling uninterrupted internet connectivity despite government restrictions.

Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's company, SpaceX, providing internet access in remote and underserved areas.

According to Bennett, the devices were intended to help Iranian protesters communicate, organize demonstrations, and remain connected during periods of internet shutdowns imposed by Iranian authorities.

He also criticized Israel's current government, saying it failed to continue the initiative. "Unfortunately, the current incompetent government did not carry on the project. When the protest movement emerged, the necessary infrastructure was not in place," Bennett said.

Iran has long accused Israel and the United States of smuggling Starlink equipment into the country to undermine its national security. Although Starlink is not officially licensed to operate in Iran, Elon Musk has previously stated that the service is active inside the country.

There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office regarding Bennett's remarks, while SpaceX had not commented at the time of publication.