During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, extended an offer of Starlink internet service to Nasser Asadi, Iran’s representative. This unexpected gesture highlights the ongoing tensions and complex dynamics in international relations, particularly between Israel and Iran.
Heavy restrictions were imposed on January 8 and were eased on January 23 before being reinstated again on February 28 when US and Israel attacked the country.
Sharing the video on his X handle, Danon said, “I thought it appropriate to give you the Starlink. We love the Iranian people, and we pray for the regime change there,” he said. Danon posted the video on his X handle with the caption “The Iranian representative didn’t want the starlink :(”. Last month, Elon Musk took to X to pitch Starlink for India , saying it would help the “least served”, especially in rural india.
If you heard the Prime Minister, you would understand it could be very useful for you to allow the Iranian people to get their freedom after what you did to them. Do you want to take it and deliver it back to Tehran? “It could be very useful for you in Iran. Watch the video here: Iranian representative, identified as Nasser Asadi in reports, was seen ignoring him and looking away without engaging in a conversation or giving a reply. The internet connectivity reportedly started coming back in May. The development came after Netanyahu showcased a Starlink terminal during his UN General Assembly address, saying the service could help Iranians circumvent internet restrictions. The video drew widespread attention as tensions between Israel and Iran remained elevated. Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite broadband service, aims to deliver high-speed internet through a network of thousands of satellites operating in low-Earth orbit.
Earlier this year, Iran had the longest and most intense internet shutdowns in history, for nearly three months. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the stage on Thursday at the UNGA, defending Israel’s regional actions as numerous delegations walked out.
Netanyahu Critiques Global Leaders Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for labeling him a war criminal, referring to him as “the antisemitic mayor of New York.” In a broader critique, Netanyahu accused Western European leaders of capitulating to what he termed “antisemitic mobs” and claimed that countries like Qatar and Turkey are disseminating false narratives regarding the conflict.
Additionally, Netanyahu characterized Iran as a “murderous dictatorship” and asserted that the protracted conflict, which has seen Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iran, has successfully hindered Tehran’s progress toward developing nuclear weapons.
