00:07A covert operation, tens of thousands of satellite internet terminals, and a stunning claim from
00:14a former Israeli Prime Minister. Naftali Bennett says Israel secretly helped anti-government
00:21protesters inside Iran stay connected during one of the largest waves of unrest in the
00:27Islamic Republic's modern history. The revelation is likely to intensify already deep tensions
00:33between Tehran and Jerusalem, and it raises fresh questions about the role of foreign powers
00:40in Iran's domestic turmoil. Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem,
00:47Bennett disclosed that Israel acquired and smuggled tens of thousands of Starlink satellite
00:53internet receivers into Iran. According to Bennett, the objective was straightforward,
00:59keep protesters online, maintain communication networks, and prevent the Iranian government
01:05from isolating demonstrators during a nationwide crackdown. The protests themselves began in
01:12late December 2025. Initially sparked by a dramatic collapse of the Iranian Rial, soaring inflation,
01:19and worsening economic hardship, demonstrations first emerged in Tehran's bazaars before rapidly spreading
01:27across the country. What started as economic frustration soon transformed into a broader political
01:33movement. Protestors openly challenged Iran's leadership, criticizing the ruling establishment and
01:40calling for sweeping political change. Within weeks, demonstrations had spread to all 31 Iranian
01:47provinces. By early January 2026, millions of people were reportedly participating in rallies,
01:55strikes, and acts of civil disobedience. Faced with escalating unrest, Iranian authorities responded
02:02with a near-total communications blackout. On January 8th, security agencies imposed one of
02:09the most extensive internet shutdowns ever recorded in the country. Mobile networks, internet access,
02:15and digital communications were severely restricted. The blackout effectively cut Iran off from much of
02:22the outside world. It was during this period, Bennett claims, that the Starlink operation became critical.
02:30Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by SpaceX, can provide internet connectivity without
02:36relying on local telecommunications infrastructure. According to Bennett, Israel viewed the technology as a
02:43way to bypass government censorship and keep information flowing despite the blackout. He said the operation
02:51was intended to ensure what he called the continuity of the internet and social networks. Bennett also
02:58suggested that Israel should actively support Iranian citizens seeking political change. In his remarks,
03:05he criticized the current Israeli government for not fully expanding the initiative after it had been
03:11launched. The former prime minister portrayed the effort as part of a broader strategy aimed at empowering
03:18ordinary Iranians rather than targeting the Iranian people. Iranian authorities, however, have long accused
03:26Israel and Western governments of attempting to destabilize the Islamic Republic through covert influence campaigns,
03:33cyber operations, and support for opposition groups. Bennett's comments are likely to reinforce those accusations.
03:41The disclosure also comes at a particularly sensitive moment. Diplomatic contacts between the United States
03:48and Iran remain fragile, regional tensions continue to simmer, and both sides remain deeply suspicious of each other's intentions.
03:57While reports have previously suggested that thousands of Starlink terminals entered Iran through unofficial channels,
04:05Bennett's claim marks one of the most direct public acknowledgements by a senior Israeli figure
04:10regarding efforts to circumvent Iran's internet restrictions. Whether viewed as support for free communication or
04:18interference in another nation's affairs, the revelation shines a spotlight on a new battlefield in modern
04:25geopolitics. A battlefield where satellite technology, information flows, and digital connectivity can become powerful tools in
04:35struggles for influence and political change. And as tensions between Iran and Israel continue, the fight for
04:42control may increasingly extend beyond missiles and military operations, into cyberspace, communications, and the internet itself.
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