Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned his attention toward Iran during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, placing Starlink at the center of part of his message.
As his speech covered Israel’s regional security concerns and ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Netanyahu shifted the focus to the Iranian government and its relationship with the country’s population.
Netanyahu specifically highlighted Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, while speaking about access to information and communication in Iran.
“The thing the Iranian regime fears most is its people having this. This is a communication device: Starlink. It gives people access to the truth,” Netanyahu said during his address.
The remarks brought Iran and access to information into the spotlight during a speech that came amid intense international attention on Israel and Netanyahu’s appearance at the General Assembly.
Starlink becomes part of Netanyahu’s Iran message
By raising Starlink from the UN podium, Netanyahu sought to emphasize the role of communication technology in allowing Iranians to access information beyond conventional networks.
Starlink uses a network of satellites to provide internet connectivity and can serve as an alternative in places where conventional internet access is disrupted or restricted.
Netanyahu’s focus on Iran came as his appearance at the UN was drawing significant attention both inside and outside the General Assembly hall, with regional conflicts, Israel’s policies and developments in Gaza also prominent issues surrounding the annual gathering in New York.
