In June 2025, the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran entered a new phase, marked by sophisticated intelligence operations and technological innovation. At the heart of this shadow war lies an intriguing development: allegations that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, has leveraged SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service to conduct espionage and coordinate attacks within Iran.
The Israel-Iran Shadow War: A Technological Evolution
The covert conflict between Israel and Iran has simmered for decades, characterized by sabotage, cyberattacks, and targeted killings. Israel’s Mossad, renowned for its audacious operations, has long targeted Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure. Notable operations include the 2018 theft of Iran’s nuclear archive from a Tehran warehouse, the 2020 assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh using a remote-controlled weapon, and the sabotage of the Natanz nuclear facility. These operations highlight Mossad’s ability to infiltrate Iran’s heavily guarded systems, often using advanced technology and local operatives.
In 2025, this shadow war escalated into open conflict with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, a 12-day aerial campaign launched on 13 June to neutralize Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The operation relied on precise intelligence, with Mossad allegedly deploying smuggled drones, missiles, and operatives inside Iran to disable air defenses and strike high-value targets. Amid this campaign, reports emerged that Mossad used Starlink to facilitate communications and coordinate operations, a claim that has sparked intense debate about the role of private technology in state-driven espionage.
Starlink: A Digital Lifeline in a Censored State
Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides broadband internet via a constellation of low-orbit satellites. Designed to deliver connectivity to remote or censored regions, it has become a critical tool for activists and dissidents in authoritarian states.
In Iran, where government-imposed internet blackouts are common during protests or conflicts, Starlink has emerged as a lifeline for circumventing censorship.
In September 2022, following nationwide protests, the Biden administration eased sanctions to allow U.S. communications companies, including Starlink, to operate in Iran. Shortly after, Musk announced Starlink’s activation in the country, noting that it required terminals to be smuggled in.
On 14 June 2025, as Israel launched strikes and Iran imposed a nationwide internet blackout, Musk posted on X: “The beams are on,” confirming Starlink’s activation in Iran.
This move coincided with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, raising suspicions that Starlink was not only aiding protesters but also serving as a covert communication channel for Mossad operatives.
Iranian authorities quickly responded, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seizing eight Starlink devices in Hormozgan, southern Iran, allegedly used for “Mossad espionage.”
Mossad’s Alleged Use of Starlink: How It Works
Mossad’s reported use of Starlink aligns with its history of leveraging cutting-edge technology.
According to Iranian state media, security forces uncovered Starlink devices smuggled into the country, purportedly used by Mossad operatives to coordinate drone and missile strikes.
These claims are supported by reports from Israeli and international media, which describe Mossad’s use of smuggled precision weapons, including Rafael Spike missiles and drones, to target Iranian air defenses and nuclear sites. Starlink’s satellite-based internet, which bypasses terrestrial infrastructure, would provide a secure and reliable communication channel for operatives in a country where internet access is tightly controlled.
Sima Shine, former Mossad research director, told the Associated Press that the June 2025 attack was “the culmination of years of work by the Mossad to target Iran’s nuclear program.”
She highlighted the use of smuggled drones and missiles, prepositioned by agents inside Iran, which likely required robust communication networks to coordinate.
Starlink’s low-latency, high-speed internet could enable real-time data transmission, remote drone operation, and coordination between operatives and command centers in Israel.
Iranian officials have claimed that Mossad recruited local operatives, including Afghan immigrants, via social media to deploy these weapons. A June 2025 Iranian state TV report featured confessions from arrested individuals who claimed they were contacted by Mossad via social media and used Starlink to receive instructions.
While these confessions may be coerced, they underscore Iran’s concern about Starlink’s role in enabling foreign intelligence operations.
Iran’s Response: Crackdowns and Propaganda
Iran’s reaction to Starlink’s alleged use by Mossad has been swift and severe.
On 30 June 2025, Iran’s parliament voted to ban Starlink, imposing penalties of fines, flogging, or up to two years in prison for users. The law, pending final approval, reflects Tehran’s alarm over Starlink’s role as a “digital lifeline” during internet blackouts and a tool for foreign espionage. The IRGC’s seizure of Starlink devices and the arrest of over 700 alleged “Israeli spies” since 13 June indicate a broad crackdown on suspected Mossad networks.
Iranian state media have framed these arrests as evidence of thwarting Mossad’s operations, though human rights groups warn that accusations of espionage may be used to target dissidents.
A June 2025 broadcast showed camouflaged vehicles and makeshift drone factories allegedly used by Mossad, alongside confessions from detainees. However, France24 reported that the displayed weapons were largely Iranian-made, casting doubt on the credibility of these claims. This suggests that Iran may be using the Starlink narrative to justify internal repression and deflect from intelligence failures.
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 2024 revelation that the head of Iran’s counter-Mossad unit was a double agent highlights the depth of Israel’s infiltration. Former intelligence minister Ali Younesi warned in 2021 that “Mossad is closer to us than our own ears,” a sentiment echoed by ongoing arrests and executions of alleged spies. The Starlink ban and crackdown reflect Iran’s struggle to counter Mossad’s technological edge and local networks.
Geopolitical Implications: Technology as a Weapon
The use of Starlink in covert operations raises profound questions about the role of private technology in geopolitical conflicts. Starlink’s dual-use nature—serving both civilian and military purposes—has made it a lightning rod for controversy.
In Ukraine, Starlink provided critical connectivity during Russia’s invasion, but its use by non-state actors and foreign intelligence agencies has drawn scrutiny.
Elon Musk’s role as Starlink’s operator adds complexity.
His public confirmation of activating Starlink in Iran during Israel’s strikes suggests either tacit approval or indifference to its use by intelligence agencies. This has fueled Iran’s narrative of Starlink as a tool of Western imperialism, with state media labeling it “corruption on earth,” a capital offense. The ban on Starlink underscores Tehran’s broader strategy to control digital access, as seen in its reliance on VPNs and censorship during protests.
For Israel, Starlink’s utility lies in its ability to bypass Iran’s internet controls, enabling operatives to operate undetected. The Mossad’s history of using technology—such as the Stuxnet virus to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program or AI to analyze intelligence—suggests a deliberate strategy to exploit commercial platforms like Starlink. This raises ethical questions about private companies’ responsibilities in conflicts where their technology is weaponized.
Challenges and Limitations
While Starlink offers significant advantages, its use in espionage has limitations. Smuggling Starlink terminals into Iran is risky, as evidenced by the IRGC’s seizures. The devices’ visibility—requiring open sky for satellite connectivity—makes them detectable, especially in urban areas. Moreover, Iran’s arrests of alleged operatives suggest that Mossad’s networks, while sophisticated, are not infallible. The reliance on local recruits, potentially via social media, introduces vulnerabilities, as these individuals may be coerced or lack loyalty.
Iran’s countermeasures, including bans and surveillance, aim to disrupt Mossad’s operations. The order for security personnel to avoid internet-connected smartphones indicates heightened awareness of digital vulnerabilities. However, Iran’s intelligence failures—such as the 2018 nuclear archive theft and the 2021 exposure of a Mossad double agent—suggest that it struggles to counter Israel’s technological superiority.
The Broader Context: A New Era of Warfare
Mossad’s alleged use of Starlink reflects a broader trend in modern warfare, where commercial technologies are repurposed for military ends. The use of AI, drones, and satellite communications has transformed espionage, enabling precision and scale previously unimaginable. Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which killed 29 IRGC generals and targeted nuclear sites, demonstrates the integration of human intelligence, technology, and air power.
The conflict also highlights the asymmetry between Israel and Iran. While Israel leverages advanced technology and international alliances, Iran relies on proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been weakened by Israeli operations. The assassinations of Quds Force commanders Saeed Izadi and Behnam Shahryari in June 2025 underscore Mossad’s ability to strike at Iran’s core leadership.
Conclusion
The reported use of Starlink by Mossad in Iran marks a new chapter in the Israel-Iran shadow war, where commercial technology intersects with covert operations.
While Starlink’s role remains partly speculative, its potential to enable secure communications in a censored state aligns with Mossad’s history of innovation.
Iran’s crackdown on Starlink and alleged spies reflects its struggle to counter Israel’s intelligence dominance, but it also risks alienating citizens reliant on the service for free information.
The implications extend beyond this conflict.
As private technologies like Starlink become tools of warfare, questions arise about regulation, neutrality, and accountability.
For now, Mossad’s alleged use of Starlink underscores the evolving nature of espionage, where satellites in the sky empower agents on the ground. As one former Mossad official noted, “If you want to shoot, shoot, don’t talk.” In Iran, the beams are on, and the shadow war continues.
Sources
- BBC News, “Israel’s Mossad suspected of high-level Iran penetration,” 6 February 2022.
- BBC News, “Israel ex-top spy reveals Mossad operations against Iran,” 11 June 2021.
- The Times of Israel, “Mossad hails Israel’s ‘historic’ Iran offensive, thanks CIA in rare public message,” 26 June 2025.
- The Times of Israel, “Elon Musk says he activated Starlink in Tehran after regime cuts citizens off from internet amid Israeli strikes,” 15 June 2025.
- France24, “Iran arrests 700 ‘Israeli agents’, but where are the weapons?” 27 June 2025.
- Newsweek, “Iran Threatens to Flog Elon Musk’s Starlink Users,” 30 June 2025.
- The Associated Press, “Israel’s spy agency used AI and smuggled-in drones to prepare attack on Iran,” 17 June 2025.
- The Guardian, “Out of the shadows: drone-op claims show Israel’s Mossad leaning in to its legend,” 14 June 2025.
- TIME, “How Activists Get Elon Musk’s Starlink to Iran’s Protesters,” 26 January 2023.
- X posts by @Currentreport1, @warintel4u, @SprinterObserve, @DrIsmailSabavon, @Recon_surv, @animfromAddu, June-July 2025.
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