TRUMP: ‘I THINK IT’S CLOSE TO OVER’: In an interview that aired on the Fox Business Network this morning, President Donald Trump predicted the war in Iran would end very soon. “I think it’s close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over,” Trump told one of his favorite interviewers, Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, in a segment that was recorded yesterday. “If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished,” Trump said. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.” In a phone call yesterday with New York Post reporter Caitlin Doornbos, Trump advised her to stick around in Islamabad, saying “something could be happening over the next two days,” and that any second round of talks would likely be in Pakistan, not Europe. “We’re more inclined to go there,” Trump said, citing the role of Pakistani Field Marshal Gen. Asim Muni, whom Trump dealt with when he claimed to have stopped a war between Pakistan and India last year. “He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there,” Trump told the Post. “Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?” “I just think he’s a great guy, that guy. The field marshal. You know he ended the war with India, saved 30 million people,” Trump said. While seasoned negotiators have advised that in order to get a deal, even with a reprehensible foe, it is necessary to give the impression that they won something, Trump said he’s in no mood to concede anything to the Iranians. “I don’t want them to feel like they have a win.” UNDERSTANDING WHY TRUMP ORDERED THE BLOCKADE IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ CENTCOM: BLOCKADE ‘FULLY IMPLEMENTED’: In a statement released on X late last night, U.S. Central Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has “completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea.” “A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East,” Cooper posted, adding that in less than 36 hours, all Iranian ship traffic, which accounts for 90% of Iran’s economy, had been blocked. In a separate statement posted yesterday morning, the U.S. Central Command said, “During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade and six merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.” “The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said while underscoring that the Strait of Hormuz was open for all shipping that isn’t coming from Iranian ports. “U.S. forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” read the statement. More than 10,000 troops, over a dozen warships, and dozens of aircraft are involved in the blockade operation, including, according to CENTCOM, “U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers, which it says have crews that are “highly trained in conducting offensive and defensive maritime operations.” US MILITARY BEGINS BLOCKADE OF TRAFFIC ENTERING AND EXITING STRAIT OF HORMUZ MORE FORCES ON THE WAY: The aircraft carrier USS George H.W Bush and its escort ships are heading to the region, as — absent a peace deal — the two-week ceasefire imposed by President Trump is due to expire one week from today, April 22. The carrier is taking the long way around the Cape of Good Hope, to avoid the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which could bring it within range of Houthi rebels, who remain a threat in the region despite the 52-day war the U.S. waged against them last year. The Washington Post reports that in addition to the carrier strike force, which includes some 6,000 sailors, the assault ship USS Boxer, flagship of a three-ship Amphibious Ready Group, along with its embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit of roughly 4,200 sailors and Marines, is expected to arrive on station around the end of the month. CHINA CALLS US HORMUZ BLOCKADE ‘DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE’ 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: In Berlin, this morning, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group of some 50 nations will consider how best to support Ukraine, as its fortunes on the battlefield have improved in recent weeks. Given that the U.S. has zeroed out its military aid to Ukraine and has limited its contribution to selling arms for Ukraine to NATO at a profit, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is skipping the meeting even though it’s being conducted virtually. Instead, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, the number-three official at the Pentagon, will represent the United States at the virtual session. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has a news conference scheduled for 10:45 a.m. EST with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, along with defense ministers from Germany, the U.K., and Ukraine — Boris Pistorius, John Healey, and Mykhailo Fedorov, respectively. The news conference will be streamed live on NATO’s website. “Ukrainians are staunchly defending themselves, and they are using the latest technology,” Rutte said at a recent event at the Ronald Reagan Institute. “When it comes to drones and anti-drones, they really have the upper hand on that part,” Rutte said. He was less sanguine about the tide of battle more generally. “You still see very slowly that the movement is in the wrong direction. If you are pro-Ukraine like I am, and anti-Russian.” “The Ukrainian defense industrial base (DIB) continues to increase its production capabilities but is unable to achieve its maximum potential without further investment,” the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said in its latest assessment, while noting that “neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces advanced on April 14.” ELBRIDGE COLBY, NOT HEGSETH, TO ATTEND VIRTUAL UKRAINE DEFENSE CONTACT GROUP MEETING VANCE: ‘I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE’: Vice President J.D. Vance, who is expected to lead the next round of negotiations, if there is one, is cautioning that the kind of all inclusive grand bargain Trump is seeking is not something that is not likely to be achieved in a single negotiating session. “Look, honestly, after 49 years, there’s a lot of, of course, mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You’re not going to solve that problem overnight. But yes, I think the people sitting across from us wanted to make a deal,” Vance said at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia in Athens. “The President of the United States told us to go out there and negotiate in good faith. That’s what we did. That’s what we’re going to keep on doing. So, you never know, though, right?” Vance said. “But I feel very good about where we are.” Both the New York Times and Axios reported that Vance offered a 20-year “suspension” of all nuclear activity as a way to bridge the gap between Trump’s demand for enrichment of uranium, even at a level that would not produce bomb-grade material. Iran reportedly responded with a proposal to suspend its nuclear activities for five years. But yesterday, in his New York Post interview, Trump appeared to veto the idea. “I’ve been saying they can’t have nuclear weapons,” Trump said, “so I don’t like the 20 years.” VANCE HECKLED AT TPUSA EVENT OVER US ACTION IN MIDDLE EAST: ‘YOU’RE KILLING CHILDREN!’ THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: US military begins blockade of traffic entering and exiting Strait of Hormuz Washington Examiner: China calls US Hormuz blockade ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ Washington Examiner: Italy suspends defense pact with Israel over ‘the current situation’ Washington Examiner: Understanding why Trump ordered the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz Washington Examiner: Rubio: ‘Historic’ Israel-Lebanon talks meant to create ‘permanent end’ to Hezbollah influence Washington Examiner: Elbridge Colby, not Hegseth, to attend virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting Washington Examiner: Ukraine has no ‘unrealistic expectations’ for Hungary as it pitches itself as ally to Magyar Washington Examiner: Vance heckled at TPUSA event over US action in Middle East: ‘You’re killing children!’ Washington Examiner: US says it killed four suspected drug traffickers in eastern Pacific boat strike Washington Examiner: Treasury threatens foreign banks aiding Iran with ‘Economic Fury’ sanctions Washington Examiner: Trump looks to correct ‘generation of government underinvestment’ in defense industrial base Washington Examiner: House passes aviation bill aimed at preventing repeat of Potomac midair collision Washington Examiner: State by state: Here’s where ICE has made the most arrests under Trump Washington Examiner: Hegseth-affiliated pastor Doug Wilson says Trump ‘has to do better’ after AI Jesus debacle Washington Examiner: Trump wants Pope Leo to know that ‘Iran has killed 42,000 innocent’ protesters Washington Examiner: White House orders NASA and Pentagon to develop nuclear space reactors Washington Examiner: Opinion: Russia pushes the UK navy to breaking point Washington Examiner: Opinion: Iran peace deal requires a tight nuclear focus Washington Examiner: Opinion: Iran deserves Trump’s reciprocal blockade Washington Examiner: Why the Iran talks failed Washington Examiner: Trump says NATO ‘wasn’t there for us’ and won’t be ‘in the future’ Wall Street Journal: Europe Is Accelerating a NATO Fallback Plan in Case Trump Pulls Out Washington Post: U.S. sends thousands more troops to Mideast as Trump tries to squeeze Iran Air & Space Forces Magazine: 100-Plus Aircraft Join US Military Blockade of Iran Breaking Defense: 1:5 Kill Ratio: Ukraine Inflicts Heavy Russian Losses Using Drones, Says Finnish President Defense News: Amid Focus on Strait of Hormuz, Experts Sound Warning on Yemen’s Houthis and Red Sea Air & Space Forces Magazine: How ’27 Budget Requests Compare: Air Force, Space Force vs. Army, Navy, DOD Breaking Defense: Space Force to Finalize Acquisition Portfolio Structure over Next Two Months Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Urges Industry to Invest in Satellite Production Capacity Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Seeks Increase in Operations & Maintenance, Flying Hours in 2027 Air & Space Forces Magazine: What Are Chinese Media Outlets Saying About the F-47? The War Zone: Angry Kitten Jamming Pod Testing on HC-130J Focuses on Receiving Threat Updates via Satellite Air & Space Forces Magazine: BAE Unveils Highly Maneuverable, Refuelable Satellite, Eyes 2027 Delivery THE CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15 10 a.m. 419 Dirksen — Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing: “Reforming the UN: Assessing U.S. Efforts and Priorities,” with testimony from U.S. Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz; and U.S. Representative to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform Jeff Bartos http://foreign.senate.gov 10 a.m. 2362-B Rayburn — House Appropriations Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing: “Budget Hearing – Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation,” with testimony from Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham, chief of engineers and commanding general, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Adam Telle, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works; and Andrea Travnicek, assistant Interior secretary for water and science, http://appropriations.house.gov 10:15 a.m. 210 Cannon House — House Budget Committee hearing: “The President’s FY2027 Budget Request,” with testimony from OMB Director Russell Vought https://budget.house.gov 1 p.m. Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies virtual discussion: “Foreign Influence Operations and National Security,” with Margaret Harker, litigator and former attorney for the Justice Department; Park MacDougald, writer and editor for Tablet Magazine; and Vince Vitkowsky, fellow, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School National Security Institute https://fedsoc.org/events/foreign-influence-operations-and-national-security 3 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing: “FY27 Missile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs and Activities,” with testimony from Marc Berkowitz, assistant secretary of defense for space policy; Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command; Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, direct report program manager for Golden Dome for America; Air Force Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director, Missile Defense Agency; and Army Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=6463 3:30 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee hearing: “Military Readiness for FY2027,” with testimony from Gen. Christopher LaNeve, vice chief of staff of the Army; Adm. James Kilby, vice chief of naval operations; Gen. John Lamontagne, vice chief of staff of the Air Force; Gen. Bradford Gering, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps; and Gen. Shawn Bratton, vice chief of space operations for the Space Force, http://www.armedservices.house.gov THURSDAY | APRIL 16 8:30 a.m. 37th and O Sts. NW — Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Asian Studies Program conference: “Japan: Contending with Change at Home and Abroad,” with former national security adviser Jake Sullivan https://events.georgetown.edu/event/39482-japan-contending-with-change 10 a.m. 608 Dirksen — Senate Budget Committee hearing: “The President’s FY2027 Budget Proposal,” with testimony from OMB Director Russell Vought http://budget.senate.gov 11 a.m. 390 Cannon — House (Select) Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party Committee hearing: “China’s Campaign to Steal America’s AI Edge.” https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov 3 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing: “Military Department Personnel Chiefs: Personnel Posture,” with testimony from Army Lt. Gen. Brian Eifler, deputy chief of staff, G-1; Air Force Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel; Navy Vice Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko, chief of naval personnel; Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William Bowers, deputy commandant manpower and reserve affairs; and Katharine Kelley, Air Force deputy chief of space operations for personnel, http://www.armedservices.house.gov 3:30 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee hearing: “Defense Intelligence Enterprise – Challenges, Priorities, and Resourcing for FY2027,” with testimony from Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Bradley Hansell; Gen. Joshua Rudd, director and commander, National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command; Lt. Gen. Michele Bredenkamp, director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and Lt. Gen. James Adams, director, Defense Intelligence Agency http://www.armedservices.house.gov FRIDAY | APRIL 17 9:30 a.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing: “Budget Hearing – National Guard and Reserves Forces,” with testimony from Lt. Gen. Leonard Anderson, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command; Lt. Gen. John Healy, chief of Air Force Reserve; Rear Adm. Richard Lofgren, acting chief of Navy Reserve; and Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau http://appropriations.house.gov 10 a.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace virtual discussion: “The U.S. and Israel’s War With Iran: Where Do We Go From Here?” with Suzanna Maloney, vice president and director, Brookings Institution Foreign Policy Program; Danny Citrinowicz, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies Iran and the Shi’ite Axis Program; and Aaron David Miller, senior fellow, CEIP American Statecraft Program https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2026/04/us-and-israels-war-with-iran 10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Readiness, Resilience, and Credibility: The ICBM Mission Today,” with Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser, commander, 20th Air Force https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/readiness-resilience-and-credibility 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
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| “He goes, ‘Was he kidding?’ I was like, you know, no, he's -- he's being dead serious. He says, 'I know nothing about it.' And he says, then he says, ‘I don't know anything about teleporting.' He says,’No, it just sounds a little strange, but I know nothing about teleporting or him. But I'll find out about it for you.” |
| CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski, on what President Trump said after being asked about the claim of Gregg Phillips, a senior FEM, who believes he said he flew through the air 50 miles and landed near a Waffle House. |
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