Max Blumenthal: Boasting of ‘deploying’ 200 Starlinks to Iran amid violence

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a US government-funded organization, deployed approximately 200 Starlink terminals into Iran. This revelation came from NED President Damon Wilson during a House Oversight Committee hearing, where he was cut off after disclosing the program. Max Blumenthal argues these terminals were used by rioters to coordinate unrest, linking US-backed technology directly to civil disturbances.

NED President Damon Wilson's testimony in a House Oversight Committee hearing, stating, 'we specifically began supporting the deployment the operation of about 200 Starlinks early on.' (03:36, 04:38)

The NED, through its president Damon Wilson, took credit for efforts to increase the official death toll from Iranian riots. While official Iranian figures were around 3,000, Wilson claimed NED partners aimed to raise this to 17,000-30,000, aligning with Western media's unverified reports from monarchist sources.

Damon Wilson 'took credit for the death tolls and said they're working with their partners who have networks inside Iran to basically increase the official death toll to anywhere between 17,000 and 30,000.' (03:16)

After initial protests in Iran were quelled by an internet blackout, Donald Trump's declaration of 'Help is on the way' fueled the Iranian opposition's belief in US intervention. This statement, made without US military assets in place, pressured Trump to authorize the deployment of aircraft carrier battle groups, which eventually led to negotiations that Blumenthal claims were a precursor to war.

Donald Trump declared, 'Help is on the way.' And this fueled the belief among the Iranian opposition that the US was going to intervene and it trapped Donald Trump. And it was from that point that Trump had to authorize these two aircraft carrier battle groups to put them into place that he then restarted these negotiations which led to war in June and began playing the Israelis game.' (06:48)

Key figures within the Trump administration, specifically Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, are identified as deeply invested in Zionism and are making critical decisions regarding potential war with Iran. Kushner, with strong personal ties to Benjamin Netanyahu, and Witkoff, whose family is integrated into pro-Zionist business networks, are seen as driving a war agenda despite military warnings.

Jared Kushner and Steve Witoff are going to make the determination on whether there should be war based on their assessment of the negotiations... So you have two adherence of the Zionist movement who are deeply invested in the project of Zionism.' (11:10)

The Pentagon, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Kaine, expressed concerns and opposition to a war with Iran, warning it would be a prolonged conflict, not a quick attack. Their assessment, based on 'cold hard facts' and Iran's military capabilities, indicated it might not be winnable and would cause massive casualties and global economic destabilization.

The Pentagon finally is talking about that the war with Iran going to take, you know, that's going to prolong that's going to be a is not going to be a quick war a quick attack. That's going to happen and the huge casualties going to may this war bring to the United States. And here is the joint chief's chairman general Dan Kaine. He he warned Donald Trump himself...' (17:26)

Despite perceptions of weakness, Iran's military has reached parity with Israel's, particularly through its ballistic missile program. Iran has replenished and exceeded its missile stocks, developed mobile launching systems, underground military bases, thousands of drones, and advanced drone-like sea mines. This indigenous development, now supported by Russia and China, makes Iran a formidable opponent.

Israel now recognizes correctly... that Iran militarily is reaching parody with its own military... Iran through its ballistic missile program is able to fight it to a standoff and force it into demanding a ceasefire... Iran has not only replenished its stocks of ballistic missiles, it has produced exceeded its pre-existing stock and produced more mobile missile launching systems as well as more underground... military bases for its ballistic missiles and its thousands of drones as well as its sea mines.' (14:15)

Blumenthal suggests that Donald Trump's actions, including betraying campaign promises on war and peace, are influenced by his family's belief that they are being targeted by powerful forces with assassination plots. This psychological factor, stemming from multiple alleged incidents, makes Trump hesitant to deviate from a 'program' that includes pro-Israel foreign policy.

There's a sense within the Trump family... that this is their belief... that they are being targeted by them... Trump is concerned that if he doesn't follow the program, which he is increasingly following, betraying so many of his campaign promises, including on issues of war and peace, that uh he's more at risk and that his security team cannot protect him.' (29:02)

The concept of 'Greater Israel,' as articulated by figures like Mike Huckabee (referencing Genesis 15's 'Nile to the Euphrates' claim), is presented not as theology but as an ideology driving regional conflict. Iran and other Arab states understand this project as Israel's aim for total hegemony over governments and peoples, not just territorial expansion, leading to inevitable confrontation and destabilization.

Mike Huckabe's revealing commentary, which is just simple elucidation of Christian Zionist ideology, not theology, ideology, that Israel has the right to control all of their territory... Iran has understood that there is a greater Israel project. That Israel is not a nation that will ever set borders and that while it may not seek to necessarily control all the territory between the Nile and the Euphrates, the greater Israel will seek to control all of the governments and all of the people through some form of force.' (33:52)