Bennett Says Israel Smuggled Starlink Receivers Into Iran but Network Was Not Active During Protests

Israel smuggled tens of thousands of Starlink internet receivers into Iran during Naftali Bennett's term as prime minister from 2021 to 2022. Bennett made the disclosure on June 23 at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem. He said the devices were acquired and smuggled to allow continuity of the internet and social networks inside Iran.

Starlink, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is not licensed to operate in Iran. Bennett stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government stopped the smuggling operation. He added that the infrastructure was not present when protests occurred.

Iranian authorities shut down public internet access during nationwide protests in January and throughout the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran that began at the end of February. Reuters has previously reported that some Iranians turned to Starlink during internet blackouts.

Bennett said that if he returned to office he would work to undermine Iran's government through measures including economic and industrial sabotage short of direct military attacks. An election in Israel is due by October. Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to questions on Bennett’s remarks.

SpaceX was not available for comment outside U.S. business hours.