Israeli official asked about Starlink in Iran as Musk weighed in, sources say
Story by JERUSALEM POST STAFF, January 9, 2026
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, a junior minister in Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, contacted Israeli-American venture capitalist Dovi Frances this week to ask whether Starlink was operating inside Iran amid widespread internet disruptions. The contact came as Iran faced what monitors described as a major “digital blackout” on Thursday, during escalating nationwide protests.
Frances would not confirm whether or not he spoke with Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX operates Starlink, though he did not detail what was discussed or whether any action followed. Cohen did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
Cohen is a deputy minister, a government role that typically supports a senior minister and handles specific policy areas on the government’s behalf. Frances is the founding partner of Group 11, a venture capital firm with deep ties in the US and Israeli tech sectors, placing him in proximity to global industry leaders such as Musk. He is also the star of the Israeli version of the Shark Tank TV show.
The central question, was whether Starlink connectivity could be available to Iranian users despite regime efforts to restrict communications during unrest.
Internet shutdowns and satellite workarounds
Iran’s leadership has repeatedly restricted internet access during periods of domestic upheaval, both to limit organizing and to reduce the flow of information. On Thursday, NetBlocks and other monitoring efforts reported a sharp collapse in connectivity across Tehran and other areas, while The Post reported widespread internet and phone disruptions as protests intensified.
Starlink sits at the heart of this debate because it can, in some circumstances, provide connectivity that is harder for governments to throttle than traditional telecom networks. But using it typically requires ground terminals, which Iran has warned against and sought to police.
Frances confirmed he received Cohen’s inquiry but would not state whether or not he later spoke with Musk. He did not describe operational steps taken following those conversations, and there is no public confirmation that Israel facilitated or enabled Starlink service inside Iran during the latest blackout.
In the past 24 hours, calls for Musk to expand Starlink access resurfaced publicly, including a statement by Iranian activist Masih Alinejad urging Musk to help restore connectivity during the blackout.
Starlink has been linked to previous Iran shutdown episodes. In June 2025, The Post reported that Musk said Starlink had been activated for Iran during a prior disruption, and Tehran has also warned citizens against installing Starlink equipment.
Israeli official asked about Starlink in Iran as Musk weighed in, sources say
The users can be geolocated so the authorities can identify who's in contact with foreign intelligence agencies. |
