Donald Trump claims that the "right people" in Iran have reached out to cut a deal for real after imposing a naval blockade and cutting off Iran's income stream. Who are we talking with in Tehran? Mahdi al-Hall?
That's what Trump claimed in an ad-hoc press conference on the veranda of the Oval Office this afternoon. Trump didn't specify the identities of the "right people," but hinted that the blockade may have changed some minds over the last few hours:
Trump: The right people called from Iran, they want to make a deal. pic.twitter.com/nbcXnyn19P
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 13, 2026
One can understand why some Iranian regime remnants may want to cut a deal with Trump that meets his demands. As Trump himself put it, "Iran is doing absolutely no business and we're gonna keep it that way very easily!" Their ability to fight a blockade is all but nonexistent at this point, Trump explained. "Don't forget that Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their anti-aircraft is gone, their radar is gone, and their leaders are gone."
So who are these partners willing to talk seriously about the US demands for peace? Apparently, Abbas Araghchi and Mohammed Ghalibaf are not on the roster of the "right people." They had plenty of opportunity to cut a deal in Islamabad this weekend, but the Iranians refused to budge on any of the issues presented by the US and the Gulf states. Unless those two have recalculated on talks, the question would be whether anyone else can deliver on any commitments made in talks. At the moment, the IRGC leadership reportedly seems to think that Ghalibaf may be a Mossad mole just for showing up in Islamabad:
Ahmad Vahidi, IRGC chief, on Iranian parliament speaker Ghalibaf:
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 12, 2026
“The supreme leader isn’t even buried yet, and yet Ghalibaf is already shaking hands with those who kiIIed him.” -C14 pic.twitter.com/pPM13oBa7i
Imagine what the IRGC will do with anyone who offers to cut a deal with Trump that surrenders on nuclear weapons, let alone missile/drone systems and support for Hezbollah and Hamas. Even Araghchi and Ghalibaf have to worry about the Michael Collins conundrum if they cut a reasonable deal for peace. If we're talking with Masoud Pezeshkian, he's even more expendable – unless he brings an army with him. And even then ...
The problem for Iran is, as it has always been, time. The US can afford to maintain a blockade for an indefinite period of time, especially if the US Navy can free up the Strait of Hormuz for all other traffic. Trump claimed this afternoon that dozens of ships have passed through already in the last 24 hours, with more queuing up:
34 Ships went through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, which is by far the highest number since this foolish closure began. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Time remains a problem for the IRGC in two other ways. First, the blockade will cost them around $450 million a day in revenue that they cannot replace. For a regime that has no stable banking system and a hyperinflationary run already, the collapse of oil revenue cannot last long without destabilizing the regime and prompting massive desertions and defections. Second, the clock is still ticking on the ceasefire, perhaps surprisingly. Trump has not ordered a resumption of air strikes on remaining regime targets, but that option has not come off the table either.
Trump issued that warning in one exchange with a reporter:
If a deal isn't reached with Iran before the end of the ceasefire, President Trump says, "it won't be pleasant for them. Let me put it that way." pic.twitter.com/wGztUapuCp
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 13, 2026
In other words, Trump has reserved options for escalation on either of two conditions. If Iran attempts to attack shipping in the strait or the US Navy ships enforcing the blockade, Trump will escalate to increase pressure on the IRGC. Even if the regime doesn't attack, though, Trump will begin escalations at the end of the ceasefire period next week. Either way, the clock is ticking on the IRGC junta and the Nepo Babytollah sockpuppet they're using.
CBS News has nearly the entire presser in this video. Reporters asked a wide range of questions, including about the kerfuffle between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the UFC event at the White House coming soon, the 2020 election, and more.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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