Israeli Former PM Bennett says Israel smuggled Starlinks into Iran

Starlink devices were covertly moved into Iran to support internet access for anti-government protesters, former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said Tuesday in Jerusalem.

Bennett, who led Israel from 2021 to 2022, told the JNS International Policy Summit that he launched a plan to obtain and funnel large quantities of the satellite receivers across the border. He argued the equipment was meant to keep social networks and communications online during crackdowns.

Bennett describes a large-scale effort to bypass shutdowns

Speaking at the conference, Bennett said the initiative involved “tens of thousands” of Starlink receivers. He framed the effort as a way to preserve connectivity if Iranian authorities restricted access to the internet.

According to Bennett, the intended beneficiaries were protest networks that could use the devices to coordinate and maintain momentum. He said the broader objective was political change in Iran, including the prospect of bringing down the government.

Bennett blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current coalition for not sustaining the program. He said that when demonstrations later occurred, the communications infrastructure he described was not in place.

What Starlink is, and why Iran has objected

Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, the aerospace company owned by Elon Musk. It provides broadband access via user terminals that connect to a network of satellites rather than terrestrial cell towers or fiber lines.

Iran has repeatedly warned that smuggled satellite terminals could be used to evade state controls and create alternative communication channels. Tehran has previously accused Israel and the United States of moving such equipment into the country to weaken Iranian security.

Starlink is not licensed to operate in Iran, a point that has fueled disputes over legality and enforcement. Musk has previously stated that the service is active in Iran, even as the regulatory environment remains hostile.

Responses and the diplomatic-security stakes

Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to questions about Bennett’s remarks. SpaceX was also not available for comment outside U.S. business hours.

The episode underscores how communications technology has become a tool in regional competition between Israel and Iran. Accusations of covert support for dissidents, and counter-accusations of interference, have long featured in the two countries’ shadow conflict.

Bennett’s comments also highlight the operational challenge of sustaining clandestine supply chains for sensitive hardware at scale. Even if terminals are acquired, they must be distributed, powered, protected from seizure, and paired with user know-how in a high-surveillance environment.

For protesters, resilient connectivity can shape whether demonstrations remain localized or become nationwide movements, particularly when authorities attempt to disrupt messaging platforms. For governments, unlicensed satellite links raise questions about sovereignty, enforcement, and escalation.

Next steps will likely depend on whether Israel’s government addresses the claim, and whether Iranian authorities respond publicly or tighten counter-smuggling measures. Observers will also watch whether Starlink’s presence in Iran becomes more visible through user reports, enforcement actions, or new statements from officials and the company.