Here we go again. Iran wants to stretch this out forever. The U.S. wants to put the pirate state in its place and open up Hormuz for everyone. Remember that Iran is hanging on to its quest for nuclear weapons and its abutting Hormuz as the way to hold the world hostage. Also, remember an important point—it is the force involved in the blockade that is making Iran return to the table. “US and Iranian teams to return to Islamabad for renewed peace talks – report,” i24, 4-14-26.
The Iran/Hormuz and Lebanon stories are intimately related (the NYT needs to report this). The (three) ayatollahs would not be happy, nor former Pres. Assad, nor Pres. Putin that Israel and Lebanon are talking. Iran and Syria have had a strangle-hold on Lebanon for decades. “The meeting would be the first direct, in-person talks in decades between Israel and Lebanon, which do not have diplomatic relations.” This meeting is another sign that Marco Rubio is the right person in the right place. See “In Rare Direct Talks, Israeli and Lebanese Officials Look for Way Forward,” NYT, 4-14-26. The NYT reports, “The war between Hezbollah and Israel reignited last month after Hezbollah fired on Israel in solidarity with Iran. Hezbollah has since launched more than 6,500 rockets, missiles and drones toward Israel, according to the Israeli military. Israeli attacks on Lebanon have become a flashpoint in the fragile cease-fire between Iran and the United States. Iran insists that Lebanon is covered by the agreement. Iran and the United States say it isn’t.” … “Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said in a televised speech on Monday that Hezbollah categorically rejected Lebanon’s planned talks with Israel. He called on Lebanese authorities to cancel the talks, urging them not to become “a tool of Israel.”” Will we defeat terrorism, and defang Hezbollah and the Quds and the IRGC? Other countries will have to step up and be courageous.
“China rejects reports of arms supply to Iran as unfounded,” Iran International, 4-14-26.
46 days and counting. “Iran internet blackout continues to harm lives, NetBlocks says,” Iran International, 4-14-26.
Uh oh. “Chinese spy satellite guided Iran’s strikes on US bases across Middle East – report,” i24, 4-14-26. “A Financial Times investigation reveals the IRGC used a Chinese-built satellite to coordinate precision strikes against American airbases and regional civilian infrastructure. … The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has achieved a major leap in its regional strike capabilities by covertly deploying a Chinese-built spy satellite to orchestrate attacks on US military installations, a Financial Times investigation has revealed. The satellite, identified as the TEE-01B, was reportedly transferred to the IRGC’s Aerospace Force through a sophisticated “in-orbit delivery” scheme following its late 2024 launch from Chinese soil. The investigation found that the satellite was used to capture detailed imagery of the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia just hours before and after a March 14 missile strike. That specific attack, later confirmed by President Trump, resulted in the damaging of five US Air Force refueling aircraft. Beyond Saudi Arabia, the TEE-01B reportedly provided the IRGC with a stream of intelligence on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, the US Fifth Fleet’s headquarters in Bahrain, and logistical hubs like Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. The surveillance extended to critical civilian infrastructure, including major desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates and massive aluminum smelters in Bahrain.” Are you tracking what is happening here? The IRGC and China together hitting military and civilian targets across Arab states. This is a real threat by a superpower against the GCC states.
“Iran War, April 14, 2026: U.S. Enforces Blockade, Sends Tankers Back to Iran,” WSJ, 4-14-26.
Thank you again II. “Iran negotiators ordered to return after internal rift over Islamabad talks,” Iran International, 4-14-26.
Due to the war and the over 1,000 Regime leaders who have died, those remaining are like cornered animals, not more dangerous than the earlier Regime leaders. For example, the proposition the MK is more extreme than his father is laughable. But the article has a good description of new security chief Zolghadr. See “Iran’s Regime Has Changed—for the Worse,” WSJ, 4-14-26.