Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak claimed that Israel smuggled Starlink satellite internet devices into Iran to support protesters challenging the Iranian regime, according to multiple reports including The Independent and Middle East Eye. He suggested these devices were intended to enable reliable communications for activists facing government internet blackouts.
Barak criticized current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as “incompetent” for failing to fully deploy the Starlink technology for its intended use, The Independent detailed. Barak’s remarks mark one of the first admissions from a senior Israeli figure about covert operations aimed at bolstering dissent within Iran.
The Straits Times and NDTV also noted Barak specified the operations took place during the ongoing protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. The smuggling reportedly involved physically transporting the satellite receivers across borders, allowing connectivity despite Tehran’s efforts to shut down internet access.
This revelation could exacerbate already fragile Israel-Iran relations, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts in the region, Middle East Eye explained. Iran has not officially responded to Barak’s claims, but state media typically denounce external interference in domestic affairs.
Observers will be watching for any official Israeli acknowledgement or Iranian retaliation following this disclosure, as well as how ongoing protests and international pressure affect the strategic use of technologies like Starlink in conflict zones. The episode highlights broader issues of technology’s role in geopolitical contests and information control.
