Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon offers Starlink to Iran envoy amid UNGA session

Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon offered Starlink internet service to Iran's representative Nasser Asadi at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday.

Sharing the video on his X handle, Danon said, "I thought it appropriate to give you the Starlink. 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. We love the Iranian people, and we pray for the regime change there," he said.

The Iranian representative, identified as Nasser Asadi in reports, was seen ignoring him and looking away without engaging in a conversation or giving a reply.

Danon posted the video on his X handle with the caption "The Iranian representative didn't want the Starlink :(".

Earlier this year, Iran had the longest and most intense internet shutdowns in history, for nearly three months. Heavy restrictions were imposed on 8 January and were eased on 23 January before being reinstated again on 28 February when US and Israeli forces attacked the country. Internet connectivity reportedly started coming back in May.

Starlink – Musk's satellite broadband service

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.

Last month, Elon Musk took to X to pitch Starlink for India, saying it would help the "least served", especially in rural India.

Netanyahu's speech at the UNGA

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 particularly criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for describing him as a war criminal and called him "the antisemitic mayor of New York". He accused Western European leaders of yielding to what he called "antisemitic mobs", and alleged that Qatar and Turkey were spreading falsehoods.

He also described Iran as a "murderous dictatorship" and claimed that the nearly seven-month conflict, during which Israeli and US forces carried out strikes against Iran, had prevented Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.