EXTEND THE CEASEFIRE AND WAIT: In an afternoon post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump revealed that nothing he said over the past few days reflected the reality of what was happening in an effort to end the Iran war.
No, the Iranians had not agreed to a second round of negotiations. No, Vice President JD Vance was not leaving for Islamabad. No, Iran hadn’t “agreed to everything.” No, the U.S. would not be “going in with Iran with lots of excavators,” to retrieve the “nuclear dust.” No, “lots of bombs” will not “start going off,” if the ceasefire expired without a deal. At 4 p.m. Tuesday, Trump threw up his hands, and blamed Iran for the “fractured” government that was the inevitable result of a methodical assassination campaign carried out by the U.S. and Israel to eliminate all of Iran’s top leaders.
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“We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump wrote, saying he was honoring a request from Pakistan, based on the fact that the “Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so.”
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Trump keeps saying the surviving leaders, with whom the U.S. has been dealing, are more “reasonable” and “rational.” However, indications are that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is the one calling the shots.
TRUMP EXTENDS CEASEFIRE AND POINTS TO ‘FRACTURED’ IRAN LEADERSHIP AS TALKS FALTER
IRAN DEFIANT, SHIPS ATTACKED: As Vance had a plane on standby for a flight to Islamabad, the U.S. got no formal response to its latest demands, and no indication Iran was going to send negotiators for a second round of talks, despite Trump’s threats to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants.
“Sending a U.S. delegation to Pakistan for negotiations is pointless at this stage. For the past two months, President Trump has spread falsehoods daily. You cannot negotiate with a partner who abandons truth,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post. “Let the record be clear, Iran has never agreed to surrender its Uranium. China has never agreed to stop defense cooperation with us. The Strait of Hormuz was never opened by us under pressure.”
“The extension of the cease-fire by Donald Trump has no meaning. The losing side cannot set the terms,” an adviser to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote in a social media post. “The continuation of the siege is no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response. Moreover, Trump’s ceasefire extension is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike. The time for Iran to take the initiative has come,” said Mahdi Mohammadi.
As of this morning, two commercial ships came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz. A container ship suffered minor damage, according to the British military. There was no reported damage to the second vessel, a cargo ship.
IRAN FIRES ON MULTIPLE SHIPS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AFTER CEASEFIRE EXTENSION
TRUMP RAILS AT ‘MORON’ WHO CALLED HIM A ‘SUCKER’: In apparent disregard for the well-known “Streisand effect,” President Trump went off last night on a Wall Street Journal opinion essay by Elliot Kaufman, headlined “The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.”
“How many times will President Trump pay Iran for the same real estate? Twice, he has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and twice, he has given up U.S. leverage in exchange. Yet the Strait remains closed, as Iran’s regime demands more,” Kaufman wrote in the op-ed published Monday.
Trump, who can’t let any slight go unanswered, took to Truth Social to vociferously deny he was a “sucker.”
“Other Presidents did nothing to stop them, a BLIGHT on the Office of the Presidency! But despite all of this, I have a MORON on the Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal writing about me being taken for a ‘sucker,” Trump wrote last night. “Iran certainly doesn’t think so! Neither does anyone else.”
“Really? For 47 years, they have killed our people, and many others, and taken advantage of every President, except me,” Trump said, calling Kaufman “An IDIOT.”
“The Wall Street Journal has lost its way, no longer required reading, just another failing political ‘RAG!’” he added as a parting shot.
TRUMP SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ WON’T REOPEN UNTIL IRAN STRIKES A DEAL WITH US
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HAPPENING TODAY: STRAIT OF HORMUZ REMAINS CLOSED: In a pair of Truth Social posts last night, Trump argued he still has Iran over a barrel, and that the Iranians are threatening to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed merely to save face.
“Iran is collapsing financially! They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately,” Trump said in one post, insisting Iran is “Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid.”
“They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” Trump said in a second post. “People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!”
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told reporters that Tehran is prepared to immediately resume negotiations as soon as the U.S. lifts its naval blockade, which Iran argues violates the ceasefire agreement.
TRUMP CLAIMS IRAN IS ‘COLLAPSING FINANCIALLY’ AND ‘DOESN’T WANT STRAIT OF HORMUZ CLOSED’
THAT ‘GIFT’ FROM CHINA: In his morning interview with CNBC yesterday, Trump alluded to the cargo on the container ship Touska, which was disabled and seized by the U.S. Navy on Monday.
“A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know, but I was a little surprised because I have a very good relationship and I thought I had an understanding with President Xi. But that’s all right. That’s the way war goes, right?”
The U.S. Central Command says the ship’s cargo has been inspected, but it has not revealed what it was bringing to Iran. Some open-source reports suggest the ship was loaded with chemicals used to make propellant for ballistic missiles and other dual-use materials that can be used in missile production.
China’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly refused to say what was on the ship. At today’s regular press briefing, spokesperson Guo Jiakun was asked by Reuters for a response to Trump’s statement that he thought he had an understanding with China, and asked directly, “What was on the Iranian-flagged vessel that was traveling from China?”
“China has made clear its position more than once. Let me reiterate that as a response,” Guo responded. “China has always been a role model in performing its due international obligations.”
TRUMP SAYS CHINA TRIED TO SEND ‘GIFT’ TO IRAN, UNDERMINING HIS ‘GOOD RELATIONSHIP’ WITH XI
RUNNING OUT OF MUNITIONS? President Trump continued to boast that the U.S. has a nearly unlimited supply of missiles and bombs. “We have so much ammo. We have so much of everything,” Trump told CNBC’s Joe Kernen yesterday, insisting that the U.S. force deployed to the Middle East is “much more powerful than it was four or five weeks ago,” after “restocking.”
But an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies released yesterday told a slightly different story. “Analysis of seven key munitions shows that the United States has enough missiles to continue fighting this war under any plausible scenario.” However, the study cautioned that the risk “lies in future wars,” a concern that “will persist for many years.”
The report estimated that the U.S. has used 850 of its 3,100 Tomahawk missiles, 1,000 of its 4,400 JASSMs, 290 of its 360 THAAD interceptors, and up to 1,430 of its prewar inventory of 2,330 Patriot missiles.
“It is worth recognizing that many munitions have acceptable inventories. Thus, even if critical munitions run low or run out, the United States will be able to continue the fight,” the CSIS assessed.
But the analysis also noted, “The diminished munitions stockpiles have created a near-term risk. A war against a capable peer competitor like China will consume munitions at greater rates than in this war. Prewar inventories were already insufficient; the levels today will constrain U.S. operations should a future conflict arise.”
$1.5 TRILLION NATIONAL DEFENSE BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE IRAN WAR COSTS
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Trump extends ceasefire and points to ‘fractured’ Iran leadership as talks falter
Washington Examiner: Trump claims Iran is ‘collapsing financially’ and ‘doesn’t want Strait of Hormuz closed’
Washington Examiner: Trump says Strait of Hormuz won’t reopen until Iran strikes a deal with US
Washington Examiner: Trump says China tried to send ‘gift’ to Iran, undermining his ‘good relationship’ with Xi
Washington Examiner: Trump asks Iranian regime to release eight women slated for execution
Washington Examiner: Israeli military disciplines two soldiers involved in bashing of Jesus statue in Lebanon
Washington Examiner: $1.5 trillion national defense budget does not include Iran war costs
Washington Examiner: Pentagon rolls back military flu vaccine requirement after ‘era of betrayal’
Washington Examiner: Trump: Deal with Anthropic still ‘possible’ for military use
Washington Examiner: European Court of Justice declares Hungary cannot ban ‘promotion of homosexuality’ among minors
Washington Examiner: Kash Patel clashes with media on alcohol use, insists he’s never been drunk on job
Washington Examiner: Ex-Capitol Police officer sues Blaze over suggestion she planted Jan. 6 pipe bomb
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Trump is not starting a war with Iran. He is finishing one
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Donald Trump is losing his mind
Washington Post: US Operations Against Iran Expand to Indian Ocean with Tanker Capture
Washington Times: Pacific commander says victory over Iran needed to deter Chinese attack on Taiwan
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Budget Plan Seeks to Boost Munitions
CNN: US at risk of running out of missiles if another war breaks out after depleting stockpile in Iran operations
The Guardian: ‘We were terrified they were going to kill us’: fishers who survived US boat strike speak out
Wall Street Journal: Opinion: The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker
Foreign Affairs: How North Korea Won
Foreign Affairs: The Real Thucydides Trap
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Budget Calls for More Airmen, More Guardians in 2027
Breaking Defense: Air Force Eyes Massive Boost for F-15EX Fleet
The War Zone: Northrop Defends Ability to Build F/A-XX 6th Gen Naval Fighters if Selected
Air & Space Forces Magazine: U-2 Fleet, Half of A-10s Would Retire; Air Force Plans to Add 108 Planes in ’27
Breaking Defense: Northrop to Invest $2.5B to Hasten B-21 Production
DefenseScoop: DOD Moves to Make Its Largest-Ever Investment in Drones and Anti-Drone Weapons
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Seeks Bigger Operational Footprint With 4 New Ops Centers
Task & Purpose: Military Budgets $57 Billion to Fix Bases and ‘Substandard’ Barracks
Defense News: US Southern Command Stands Up Autonomous Unit
SpaceNews: Trump Taps Raytheon Executive for Top Military Space Acquisition Post
THE CALENDAR:
WEDNESDAY | APRIL 22
8 a.m. 7920 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, Virginia — Potomac Officers Club Digital Transformation Summit, with Defense Department Chief Information Office Kirsten Davies https://www.potomacofficersclub.com/events
8 a.m. 2799 Richmond Hwy., Arlington, Virginia — Defense Logistics Agency Energy Worldwide event, “Strategic Energy for Global Advantage,” with Rebecca Isacowitz, deputy assistant secretary of defense for energy, resilience and optimization; and Deputy Assistant Navy Secretary for Energy Christopher Grisafe https://usea.org/event/our-friends-defense-logistics-agency-dla-energy-worldwide
10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: “U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region,” with testimony from Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh; Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; and Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander, U.N. Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea http://www.armedservices.house.gov
10 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Commanding the Air: the Future of Airborne Battle Management,” with retired Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, former Air Force deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration, and requirements; Kari Bingen, director, Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Philip Sheers, associate fellow with the CNAS Defense Program https://events.cnas.org/commandingtheairthefutureofair
10 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW, — Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion: “Powering Maritime Dominance,” with Adm. William Houston, director, Navy Department and Energy Department Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; Seth Jones, president of the CSIS defense and security department; and retired Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, CEO and publisher, U.S. Naval Institute https://www.csis.org/events/powering-maritime-dominance
11 a.m. — Foreign Policy webinar: “What’s Next for Iran?” with Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and advisor to the Aspen Institute Congressional Program on the Middle East https://foreignpolicy.com/live/karim-sadjadpour-cease-fire-next-for-iran/
3 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing: “FY2027 Budget Request for Nuclear Forces and Atomic Energy Defense Activities,” with testimony from Brandon Williams, Energy undersecretary for nuclear security; Robert Kadlec, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear deterrence, chemical, and biological defense policy and programs; Gen. Dale White, direct report portfolio manager for critical major weapon systems in the Office of the secretary of defense; Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr., director of strategic systems programs for the U.S. Navy; Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara, deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration for the U.S. Air Force http://www.armedservices.house.gov
3:30 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee joint hearing: “Revitalizing Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base,” with testimony from Jason Potter, performing the duties of assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Stephen Carmel, administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration; Rear Adm. Mike E. Campbell, director of systems integration and chief acquisitions officer for the U.S. Coast Guard; Eric Labs, senior analyst for naval forces and weapons in the Congressional Budget Office; and Shelby Oakley, director of contracting and national security acquisitions in the Government Accountability Office http://www.armedservices.house.gov
THURSDAY | APRIL 23
9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “The posture of the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2027 and the Future Years Defense Program,” with testimony from Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Central Command; and Air Force Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command http://www.armed-services.senate.gov
9:30 a.m. — Defense Security Cooperation Agency and Defense Security Cooperation University “Defense Security Cooperation Agency Industry Day” https://dscuevaluations.gov1.qualtrics.com
10 a.m. — Center for a New American Security launches a new report: “Hit It With Your Best Shot: An American Doctrine of Economic Pressure,” with author Emily Kilcrease, senior fellow and CNAS program director; Eva Dou, author of House of Huawei; Richard Nephew, senior research scholar at Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy; and Air Force Lt. Col. Mary Hossier, CNAS senior military fellow https://events.cnas.org/hititwithyourbestshotvirtual
10 a.m. — Forecast International virtual discussion: “AI on the Battlefield: From Data to Decision Superiority,” with Roy Ionas, founder, LeadSpotting; Andrew Dardine, lead analyst for military electronics, Forecast International; Vincent Carchidi, industry analyst at Forecast International https://www.linkedin.com/events/aiindefense-wartime-special
3 p.m. — Jewish Institute for National Security of America webinar: “After the Ceasefire: What’s Next for Iran?” with retired Israeli Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror, former national security adviser to Israel’s prime minister; Eric Edelman, former U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy and JINSA distinguished scholar; and Blaise Misztal, JINSA vice president for policy https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
4 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs Institute for Korean Studies discussion: “The U.S.-ROK Alliance in a Multipolar Era: The Role of Congress,” with Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/the-us-rok-alliance
FRIDAY | APRIL 24
8 a.m. — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs virtual conference: “Global Turmoil and Wartime in Ukraine” https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/global-turmoil-and-wartime-ukraine
10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Nuclear Deterrence Without Full Scale Nuclear Testing: Stockpile Stewardship, Confidence, and Risk,” with George Miller, director emeritus at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/nuclear-deterrence-without-full-scale-nuclear-testing
