TRUMP: IRAN IN ‘STATE OF COLLAPSE’: President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed the U.S. military to extend its blockade of Iranian ports indefinitely in a strategy designed to keep squeezing Iran’s economy and force it to make a nuclear deal on Trump’s terms. “In recent meetings, including a Monday discussion in the Situation Room, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran’s economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports,” the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. “He assessed that his other options — resume bombing or walk away from the conflict — carried more risk than maintaining the blockade,” officials said. At last night’s state dinner for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Trump indicated he discussed the Iran situation privately with the British monarch. “We’re doing a little Middle East work right now. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in after-dinner remarks. “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse,’” Trump claimed in a Truth Social post Tuesday morning. “They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!).” IRAN’S ‘LEADERSHIP SITUATION’: According to the latest analysis from the Institute for the Study of War, the fact that Iran’s latest peace proposal offered no concessions and offers to end the war on Tehran’s terms shows that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi is Iran’s current decision-maker. “Iran’s growing challenges in storing and exporting its oil” is putting “significant pressure” on Iran’s economy, the ISW assessed. “It is unclear, however, whether this pressure … will cause Vahidi and his inner circle to make concessions to the United States.” “Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appears to be trying to retain political support and remain a key actor in negotiations despite prior signs of opposition from Vahidi and his inner circle,” the ISW said. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted in a Monday interview with Fox News, there are no moderates among the surviving Iranian leadership, only what the ISW calls an “intra-regime power struggle between pragmatic hardliners and ultrahardliners.” “Anti-regime media reported on April 28 that the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) convened a meeting chaired by SNSC Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr — a close ally of Vahidi — after intelligence assessments warned of a possible resumption of protests in the coming days.” “Unspecified sources told anti-regime media that Iran’s security institutions expressed concern about potential protest calls and assessed that worsening economic conditions, such as inflation, unemployment, and rising prices, could trigger renewed unrest,” the ISW reported. “These assessments warned that Iran’s economy cannot withstand more than six to eight weeks of a naval blockade and that reconstruction of damaged industrial sectors could take year.” KEANE: RETURN TO ‘FULL-THROTTLE COMBAT’: Retired Gen. Jack Keane, former Army Vice Chief of Staff and chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, said it should be clear by now that the Iranians have no intention of meeting any of the U.S. demands. “This regime that is running the country now, they are as hardline as anybody has ever seen in the 47-year history of the regime,” Keane said on Fox Business News, where he serves as a senior strategic analyst. “They’re digging their heels in, and we have to look at them through their own prism, not through ours.” “I think it should lead to is one, continue the blockade for sure, two, recognize that we’re not going to get a negotiated settlement with these hardliners and go back to combat operations — full-throttle combat operations,” Keane said on the Fox News program Mornings with Maria. “We had about 25% more things to do,” Keane said. “Let’s finish that off — finish what we started and then open up the Strait of Hormuz. I think that’s a reasonable path. And frankly, if we haven’t told these leaders who we’re negotiating with, if we go back to combat operations, they’re going to be held accountable, and their personal survival is going to be target one, then we’re missing the boat.” TRUMP FIRES BACK AT GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERZ’S IRAN ‘HUMILIATION’ COMMENTS Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are due to appear before the House Armed Services Committee at 10 a.m., ostensibly to discuss the Trump administration’s request for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the next fiscal year, a whopping 42% increase over the current spending level. Hegseth will argue that the massive defense budget “will create a new golden age of national defense,” according to a copy of his written testimony obtained by Punchbowl News. Hegseth will also rebuke NATO allies for not doing their part to counter Iran, according to Punchbowl’s Briana Reilly. “This is unconscionable, and we will remember,” he will say, according to his prepared remarks. But lawmakers will have many questions about the war in Iran, given that this will be the first testimony from the secretary and his senior military adviser, as the war approaches the 60-day mark since Congress was officially notified of the war. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, presidents must cease military action after 60 days or receive congressional authorization. “What we want to learn from him is what is the plan in Iran,” ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) told CNN. “I mean, we can talk about dropping bombs in a whole bunch of different places, landing troops, taking Kharg Island, you know, all the extreme stuff that the president has said. How’s that fundamentally going to change Iran’s calculus to our benefit? How’s that going to get them to back off of their nuclear program? How’s that going to get them to back off of their ballistic missile program?” “I think the secretary of defense owes us an explanation for how those military actions are actually going to achieve a positive strategic outcome,” Smith said. PENTAGON ASKS CONGRESS TO CODIFY ‘DEPARTMENT OF WAR’ NAME AS COSTS EXCEED $50 MILLION THE KING AND I: President Trump clearly reveled in the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, lavishing praise on the royals and acting as if there was no rift at all between the two longtime allies celebrating 250 years of American independence. “Surely,” Trump said, “if our ancestors who fought 250 years could see us now, they would be delighted that the wounds of war healed into the most cherished friendship.” King Charles, for his part, mixed levity at last night’s state dinner with a more serious message delivered in his speech to a joint meeting of Congress earlier in the afternoon. “You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French?” Charles joked last night. In his speech, he gave nuanced warnings about the importance of checks and balances, appealed to preserve the NATO alliance, and urged the U.S. not to abandon Ukraine. “The United Nations Security Council was united in the face of terror,” Charles said. “We answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder through two World Wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan, and moments that have defined our shared security. Today, Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people.” “The alliance that our two nations have built over the centuries and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people is truly unique,” he said. “But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements or assume that foundational principles simply endure.” “We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.” “The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal, and remarkable partnership. From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history,” he concluded. “I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls that become evermore inward-looking.” READ IN FULL: KING CHARLES III’S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Pentagon asks Congress to codify ‘Department of War’ name as costs exceed $50 million Washington Examiner: Google agrees to deal with Pentagon for AI usage in classified projects Washington Examiner: Ukraine and EU cry foul over Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying grains docked at Israeli port Washington Examiner: King Charles promotes NATO and warns US against becoming ‘inward-looking’ Washington Examiner: READ IN FULL: King Charles III’s address to Congress Washington Examiner: Lauren Boebert unveils bill to get Trump’s White House ballroom ‘over the finish line’ Washington Examiner: Soldier charged with making over $400,000 on Maduro raid bet pleads not guilty Washington Examiner: Trump fires back at German Chancellor Merz’s Iran ‘humiliation’ comments Washington Examiner: State Department unveils America 250 passports featuring Trump and Founding Fathers Washington Examiner: Opinion: The US should not change its stance on the Falkland Islands Wall Street Journal: Trump Tells Aides to Prepare for Extended Blockade of Iran Daily Mail: How the Daily Mail traced Trump’s family tree… and found out he’s the King’s cousin AP: The UAE’s departure from OPEC shakes up the alliance that influences oil prices worldwide Washington Post: Mitch McConnell: Why is the Pentagon holding up Ukraine funds? AP: Ukraine Says It Shot Down 33,000 Russian Drones in March, a Monthly Record Task & Purpose: Pentagon Considers Doubling Monthly Combat Pay for Troops Washington Post: Why Trump’s ballroom can’t host the White House correspondents’ dinner Defense One: SOCOM Adding AI, Autonomy ‘at Every Level,’ Commander Says Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Proposes Canceling Polar Missile Warning Program Defense News: Pentagon’s FY ’27 Budget Seeks 85 F-35s, but Most Ride on Reconciliation DefenseScoop: UAS Is ‘the New’ IED: Hung Cao Urges Industry to Innovate Faster Against Modern Drone Threats Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Laser Defense, VIP Transport Mission in the Works for HH-60W Air & Space Forces Magazine: How the 2027 Budget Will Change the Air Force Tanker Fleet KAKE: Wichita Aviation Legend, ‘Rosie the Riveter,’ Dies at 101 THE CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY | APRIL 29 10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: “Department of Defense FY2027 Budget Request,” with testimony from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine http://www.armedservices.house.gov 10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee hearing: “Orbits of Influence: Emerging Threats to U.S. Space Security and Foreign Policy Implications,” with testimony from Kari Bingen, director, Aerospace Security Project and senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Scott Pace, director, Space Policy Institute in George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs http://foreignaffairs.house.gov 11 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual book discussion: Korean Messiah: Kim II Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea’s Personality Cult,” with author Jonathan Cheng, China bureau chief, Wall Street Journal; and Victor Cha, president, CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and CSIS Korea chair https://www.csis.org/events/impossible-state-live-podcast-korean-messiah 2:30 p.m. 124 Dirksen — Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee hearing: “A Review of the President’s FY2027 Budget Request for the National Nuclear Security Administration,” with testimony from Brandon Williams, administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; David Beck, deputy administrator for defense programs, National Nuclear Security Administration; Matthew Napoli, deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration http://appropriations.senate.gov THURSDAY | APRIL 30 9:30 a.m. 2358-C Rayburn — House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing: “Budget Hearing – The U.S. Air Force and Space Force,” with testimony from Air Force Secretary Troy Meink; Space Force Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations; and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach http://appropriations.house.gov 12 p.m. — Association of the United States Army virtual discussion: “Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier: How Soldier for Life Builds Lifelong Readiness,” with Lt. Cmdr. Ray Wilson, regional director of Soldier for Life; Master Sgt. Nicholas Vargas, senior enlisted adviser for Soldiers for Life; and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, senior director of AUSA Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier Programs https://ausa.org/events/noon-report/soldier-for-life 1 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “U.S.-Israel Technology and Security,” with Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX); and Joel Rayburn, senior fellow, Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East https://www.hudson.org/events/sustaining-edge-conversation 3 p.m. 1789 Massachusetts Ave. NW — American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research book discussion: Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea’s Personality Cult,” with author Jonathan Cheng, Wall Street Journal China bureau chief https://www.aei.org/events/korean-messiah-the-religious-and-ideological-roots-of-north-koreas FRIDAY | MAY 1 9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “The Case for a Cold Peace with North Korea,” with former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert, CSIS non-resident senior adviser and CSIS Korea chair; Robert Gallucci, professor, practice of diplomacy at Georgetown University; Anthony Ruggiero, senior fellow in the Brookings Institution Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology; and Victor Cha, president of the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and CSIS Korea chair https://www.csis.org/events/case-cold-peace-north-korea 5 p.m. Sedona, Ariz.— McCain Institute 2026 Sedona Forum: “Challenges to American Dominance” https://www.mccaininstitute.org/resources/events/the-sedona-forum-2026/ 2:30 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Association of the U.S. Army discussion: “Strategic Landpower Dialogue,” with Maj. Gen. Lars Lervik, chair, Norwegian Army; and Tom Karako, director, CSIS Missile Defense Project and senior fellow in the CSIS Defense and Security Project https://www.csis.org/events/strategic-landpower-dialogue-conversation 3 p.m. 1201 South Joyce St. — Air & Space Forces Association event: “Salute to Space: The Legacy of General Bernard Schriever,” with Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel, director of plans and programs at the Space Force; retired Gen. David Thompson, former vice chief of space operations at the Space Force; retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas “Tav” Taverny, chairman of the Board of the Schriever Chapter; and Master Sgt. Brett Schriever, great-grandson of Air Force Gen. Bernard Schriever Register at https://www.afa.org/salute-to-space Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/c/AirSpaceForcesAssociation TUESDAY | MAY 12 1:30 p.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Schriever Spacepower Series with Gen Stephen Whiting, commander, U.S. Space Command https://afa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register THURSDAY | MAY 14 10 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 Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command http://www.armed-services.senate.gov
|
|
|
| “I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls that become evermore inward-looking.” |
| King Charles III of the United Kingdom, speaking to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday |
|
|
|
Comments
Post a Comment