Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Video Offering Starlink Goes Viral with Iranian Audience

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon captured widespread attention on social media with a video that has garnered around 9 million views. This video depicts Danon offering a Starlink device to an Iranian representative. Analytics reveal that nearly 40% of Instagram viewers of the video are located in Iran. Such prominence in Iran is unexpected, according to the ambassador’s office.

The encounter originated from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the U.N. General Assembly. During his address, Netanyahu showcased a Starlink device and directed a message specifically at the Iranian populace. Following the speech, Danon approached an Iranian representative with the Starlink device, an exchange recorded on video. The Iranian representative declined the offer.

Danon’s posting of the encounter on social media led to rapid viral growth. The analytics shared show that Iran comprises the largest share of viewers at 39.9%. Other nations include the U.S. with 14.3% of viewers, Israel at 12.6%, Canada with 5.9%, and Germany at 4.1%. Danon’s office interprets the Iranian interest as significant, emphasizing the message of freedom and freedom of expression intended for the Iranian audience.

As the video circulated further, another trend emerged according to Danon’s office. Accounts believed to be Iranian recirculated a video from September 2023. It shows former Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan being escorted from the General Assembly while protesting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Recent posts of the old video portray the situation as a current confrontation involving Danon.

The office characterized this renewed video circulation as a “disinformation campaign” to divert attention from Danon’s video. The representative suggests the video made an impact in Iran, prompting efforts by the regime to “change the story.”