← The President's Daily Brief
The President's Daily Brief
April 20th, 2026: Iran Reopens Hormuz, Then Attacks Ships & U.S. Diplomats In Havana
00:27:42
Loading summary
Transcript6 lines
- [00:12]
Mike Baker
It's Monday, the 20th of April. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up. Well, it seems like just 72 hours ago that the Iranian regime was announcing that they were reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Huzzah. And the White House was announcing that a deal with the regime was very close. But a lot can change in 72 hours. Shortly after those apparently positive developments, Iran reversed course, announcing that the waterway will remain closed until the US Ends the blockade on Iranian ports. The regime then fired on commercial vessels, and the US in turn stopped and boarded an Iranian ship, reportedly attempting to evade the blockade. Now, I'm no ceasefire negotiator or a special envoy, but I'd say that what we have here is a failure to communicate. I'll have the details later in the show. In an historic move, U.S. officials travel to Cuba, signaling a potential diplomatic opening even as Washington tightens the screws on the Communist island's economy. Plus, Maduro is gone, and now the purge is underway, with its former allies being removed one by one as a new power structure takes hold. And in today's Back of the Brief, a very interesting story. An unsettling pattern continues to emerge as an 11th scientist dealing with sensitive US information turns up dead. It's a string of deaths and disappearances within the scientific community that has law enforcement and the intel community baffled. But first, today's PDB spotlight whiplash this weekend after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic, only to reverse itself hours later, reimpose restrictions and fire on multiple vessels moving through the critical shipping lanes. And in a serious escalation, US Forces have now intercepted and boarded an Iranian flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to break through the American blockade. The vessel was intercepted by the US Navy destroyer USS Sprunce after it ignored warnings to stop. According to President Trump, it was ultimately disabled by blowing a hole in the engine room. U.S. marines took full custody and began inspecting its contents. The ship, named the MV Tuska, was already under U.S. treasury sanctions because of its prior history of illegal activity. And this appears to be the first boarding action tied to the American blockade. Now let's recap what's happened over this past weekend. As we reported on Friday afternoon, Iran's foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open for the remainder of the ceasefire period between Israel and Lebanon. That announcement was welcomed by the White House, with President Trump suggesting that sea mines placed in the waterway were being removed. He also announced that a deal with the regime was very close. But by Saturday morning, well, it was all changed. Iran's Joint Military Command announced that control of the strait had returned to what it called strict management by its armed forces, warning that passage would be restricted as long as the US Blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. And Iran went beyond just an announcement. According to multiple reports, Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels fired on several commercial ships transiting the strait over the weekend. Two Indian flagged vessels were reportedly targeted, while a tanker and a container ship near the coast of Oman were also struck, with at least one vessel sustaining damage. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammed Bakar Ghalibaf, doubled down on the message, saying the Strait of Hormuz is firmly under Iranian control and warning that if the US does not abandon its blockade, access to the waterway will, quote, certainly be restricted. As reported, rather than abandon the blockade, the US Is now fired on, stopped and boarded an Iranian linked vessel. At the same time, Iranian officials are claiming that they've decisively confronted US Efforts to clear sea mines from the strait, something that appears to directly contradict the White House's assertion just a day earlier that those mines were already being removed. So while the messaging from the White House was positive, mine clearing underway, the strait being reopened, a deal being very close, and the Iranian leaders being described by President Trump as reasonable people, none of that matched reality over the past 48 hours. And all of this back and forth by the Iranian regime points to a serious problem that we've discussed previously. It's not clear who is in charge within the regime, and there may be seriously competing agendas at play within whatever leadership structure exists. A state affiliated outlet, the Forest News Agency, publicly questioned Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchee's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened, calling it an unexpected tweet that had plunged Iranian society into an atmosphere of confusion. The outlet also pointed to what it called a strange silence from Iran's senior leadership, with little explanation being offered to the public about the shifting strategy or ongoing negotiations. Again, it points to something we've been watching here on the divisions within the Iranian government and even within its own negotiating team. Meanwhile, the broader US pressure campaign continues to tighten. US Central Command says at least 23 ships have now been turned around as part of the naval blockade of Iranian ports, an increase from just hours earlier. And the White House has made clear that blockade will remain in place until Tehran agrees to a broader deal, including concessions on its nuclear program. All of this is unfolding, of course, with a clock ticking in the background. The temporary ceasefire between the US And Iran is set to expire on Wednesday. And while negotiations are ongoing and President Trump sounds optimistic, there's no indication yet of a breakthrough. Which brings us to what could be the next phase of this conflict. According to new reporting from the Wall Street Journal, the US Military is now preparing to board and potentially seize Iran linked oil tankers and commercial vessels, not just in the Persian Gulf, as just happened, but in international waters around the world. And that, of course, is a significant escalation. Up to this point, the focus has been on enforcing a blockade, preventing ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports. What's now being planned now goes a step further, actively interdicting vessels tied to Iran's oil trade, including shadow fleet tankers that operate outside international regulations and sanctions frameworks. The goal is, of course, straightforward, to squeeze Iran's economic lifeline. The Trump administration believes that expanding this campaign, what officials are calling economic fury, could force Tehran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and come to the table on nuclear negotiations. That includes questions over Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, how long it would agree to halt enrichment, and whether it would gain access to billions in frozen assets held abroad. But here's the reality, unfortunately. Well, the reality is Iran still has leverage despite weeks of strikes on its military infrastructure. U.S. officials acknowledge that Tehran retains thousands of missiles and the ability to bring hidden launch systems back online. And as we saw this weekend, it is still capable of disrupting one of the most important waterways on the planet, whether by mines or fast boats or direct attacks on commercial shipping. At the same time, the US Appears to be avoiding a direct ground conflict, leaning instead on economic pressure, naval enforcement, and targeted strikes to shape the battlefield. What we're seeing is a situation where diplomatic signals and military actions appear to be moving in opposite directions. One day the strait is open, the next, ships are being fired upon. So while the rhetoric, at least what's coming out of the White House may suggest progress, the reality on the water well tells a very different story. All right, coming up next, Washington sends officials to Cuba in a quiet diplomatic push, even as pressure intensifies on Havana. While in Venezuela, Maduro's removal is now being followed by a purge of Maduro regime insiders. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, let me take just a moment to talk about personal finances and saving for your future. Here's the question to ask, Are you being lied to? Well, the standard well worn advice is to max out your 401k and IRA. But then those same financial institutions, well, they make you beg for permission to use your own money. It's time for a better way to grow and protect your money. Bank on Yourself is the proven retirement plan that alternative banks and Wall street desperately hope you never hear about. Bank on Yourself gives you guaranteed predictable growth and retirement income. With a plan that doesn't go backward when markets tumble, principle and growth are locked in and you get built in inflation protection, you can access your money for emergencies and opportunities, no questions asked, no government penalties or restrictions on how much or when you can take it. You can get a free report that reveals how you can bank on yourself and enjoy tax free retirement income, guaranteed growth and control of your money. Just go to bankonyourself.com and get your free report. It's that easy. That's bankonyourself.com PDB Once again, bankonyourself.com PDb
- [09:59]
Bill O'Reilly
Hey, Bill O'Reilly here. Please check out my new interview series. We'll do it live. Each Thursday I sit down with the most influential people in America. We're a no spin chat, no script. Anything could happen. You can find we'll do it live on BillOriley.com YouTube or wherever you download your podcast.
- [10:26]
Mike Baker
Welcome back to the PDB. I want to move now to developments just 90 miles off the coast of the U. S. State of Florida. New reporting from Axios reveals that the U. S dispatched officials to Cuba earlier this month not to reset relations, but to warn the regime that its economic collapse is extreme, accelerating and the window to act with Washington is closing. According to the reporting, senior State Department officials flew into Havana on a US Government plane. And notably, that's the first time that's happened since the Obama era and held a series of closed door meetings with figures tied directly to the Castro inner circle. And one name in particular stands out, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, known as Raulito. Now, we've profiled him before here on the podcast, but it, I suppose helps to recap. Right. Raulito is the grandson of Raul Castro, Fidel's younger brother, and he's seen by Washington as a kind of gatekeeper for the regime's real power structure because while Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel may be the public face, Raulito still holds influence behind the scenes, which is why the White House believes he may be the key to productive negotiations. So what was the message? Well, the senior State Department officials didn't go in quietly or cautiously. They delivered a blunt warning. The Cuban economy is in free fall. And the regime has a small and rapidly closing window to make serious changes. At the same time, Washington did put options on the table. One of the most notable, an offer to help deploy Starlink satellite Internet across the island. Technology that would effectively bypass the regime's state controlled communications system and open up broader access to outside information. And that is significant because information control, of course, is one of the core tools that this government uses to stay in. But that offer comes with conditions. The US Is pushing for the release of political prisoners, compensation for Americans and US companies whose property was seized after the 1959 revolution, and expanded political freedoms that would ultimately lead to free and fair elections. As an aside, the Cuban economy is again in freefall. The concept of compensation from a broke communist regime may strike some as a less than pragmatic demand. The US Delegation made clear there's still a path toward lifting the embargo, but only if those conditions are met. At the same time, there's a harder edge running through all of this. U.S. officials raised concerns about foreign intelligence, military activity, and even terror linked groups operating out of Cuba with government permission, all less than 100 miles from the US coastline. From Washington's perspective, it's about national security. And while there was no explicit threat delivered in those meetings, the message behind the visit was hard to miss. The Trump administration is prepared to pursue a diplomatic solution, but not at the expense of US security and not indefinitely. Now all of this is unfolding against the backdrop of a deepening crisis inside Cuba. As we've been monitoring, the country is dealing with a months long energy collapse, driven in part by US Pressure on its oil supply. Shipments have largely dried up after Washington threatened heavy tariffs on countries exporting oil to the is. At the same time, the regime has made some limited moves like easing restrictions on foreign investment. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already made clear that those steps fall short. Okay, turning now to Venezuela, because while US Special forces moved quickly back in January to oust former dictator Nicolas Maduro, what's unfolding now is the much more complex phase. The purge or removal of his allies and power brokers and the machine that sustained his regime. The people closest to Maduro, the ones who built their power and wealth under his rule, are now being pushed out. Some are being detained, others are losing their positions, and many are operating under surveillance, unsure if they're next. At the center of all of this is interim Venezuelan President Delsey Rodriguez, Maduro's former Vice president. So what exactly are we Seeing now, well, some of Maduro's closest confidants and associates are being pushed aside. The first Maduro confidant to fall was Alex Saab, a businessman who is long tied to the regime's oil and food networks. He's been detained as US Officials now negotiate his potential extradition on corruption related charges. Maduro's longest serving minister, Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who was once one of the most powerful men in the regime, has been removed and reassigned to a lesser role. Maduro's Attorney General, Tarek Saab was fired, giving a consolation post and then fired again. And members of Maduro's own family, along with relatives of his wife Celia Flores, have been cut off from state backed business deals. What this points to is a rapid consolidation of power with Rodriguez moving decisively against the very network that kept Maduro in place. And this is where Washington comes into the frame because the Trump administration isn't just observing what's happening in Caracas, it's working to shape it. There's a clear understanding inside Venezuela that this new leadership only works if it stays aligned with Washington. In fact, several officials within the Trump administration made that point very clearly after Maduro's removal, signaling that further action was on the table if the new government did not cooperate. So what we're seeing now is a government that for years defined itself by anti American socialism, now effectively leaning toward Washington to survive. For years, Venezuela was one of America's most entrenched adversaries. Now it's moving quickly towards something much closer to a US Aligned system, especially in energy and economic policy. As we've previously discussed here on the pdb, Rodriguez is opening the door to American investment in oil and mining. And from Washington's perspective, this is already starting to pay off. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the U.S. is dealing, quote, very well with Rodriguez's government, adding that oil is starting to flow again and that revenues not seen in years could soon return. But inside Venezuela, this transition is anything but settled. Maduro's former allies still in the government are scrambling to adapt. Some are abandoning the anti US rhetoric that defined the old regime. Others are keeping a low profile or avoiding Caracas altogether. And in some cases, people are considering exile. As one former Maduro loyalist put it in an interview with the New York Times, reflecting on how unprepared the strongman's inner circle was for this moment. The plan was always either everyone falls or nobody does. At the same time, Rodriguez is relying heavily on Venezuela's security forces to enforce this transition. Forces that are now pledging loyalty in part to avoid retribution for years of abuses under the previous regime. But even with all of this, there are limits to how far this purge can go. Figures like Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello are still in place. And that's not by accident. His ties to security forces and armed groups make him both a risk and a stabilizing force that Rodriguez can't easily push aside. Instead of being removed, he's repositioning himself as a guarantor of stability rather than an enforcer of the old order. And for now, that strategy appears to be working for him. So when you step back and look at this, Venezuela isn't just changing leadership, it's being reshaped politically and economically under direct US Pressure. The question now is whether that transformation holds or whether the same forces that kept Maduro in power for years begin to reassert themselves beneath the surface. Coming up next in the back of the brief, a growing mystery as another scientist's death adds to a string of officials with access to US Secrets who have died or gone missing under unusual circumstances. More on that story when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here with an important message for homeowners. Now, if you're a homeowner like me, you know that things never break around the house when it's convenient, right? You know what I'm talking about. Like the heater that conks out in the dead of winter or the AC system that gives out in the middle of summer. Look, we insure our health and we insure our cars. But our biggest investment often isn't covered for everyday breakdowns. And homeowners insurance usually leaves, keeps you paying out of pocket for repairs. That's why I want to thank HomeServe for sponsoring this episode. They offer subscriptions with 24. 7 access to trusted local contractors who handle problems fast. For over 20 years, HomeService helped over four and a half million customers. They've got a nearly five star post repair rating and HomeServe is a plus rated with the Better Business Bureau. Help protect your home systems and your wallet with HomeServe. Plans start at just 4.99amonth. Go to HomeServe.com to find the plan that's right for you. Again, that' HomeServe.com HomeServe is not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month. Your first year term supply uncovered repairs. Hey, Mike Baker here with an important message for everyone who currently relies on or is preparing to sign up for Medicare now, if you've dealt with Medicare, you know how complicated and confusing the system can be, right? Deciding which plan is right for you, it can be incredibly confusing. And knowing if you've signed up properly, honestly, look for millions of seniors, you might be paying for coverage that no longer fits your life. And the truth is, those costs add up. That's why I've partnered with Chapter. They're the only national advisor that compares every Medicare plan available. A trusted advisor will analyze your doctors and prescriptions to see if your plan actually fits. If it does, they'll tell you. If it not, well, they'll help you fix it. On average, folks who work with Chapter Save $1,100 a year just by finding a better fit. And get this, it's free. It's just a 20 minute call costs you nothing. So if you're turning 65 or already on Medicare, call Chapter at 915-671-5252. Again, that number, 915-671-5252. And do me a favor, tell them the PDB sent you.
- [20:55]
Mike Slater
Hey, this is Mike Slater. I have a podcast called Politics by Faith. I would love for you to listen. We take the news of the day and we run it through the Bible. What does the Bible have to say about this? Because there's nothing new under the sun. You read the headlines, everything's all crazy. World's coming to an end. It's all in the Bible. And after every episode, hopefully you leave with a proper perspective and a biblical piece. Please join us wherever you listen to podcasts and we also have a YouTube page as well. YouTube.com politicsbyfaith
- [21:25]
Jillian Michaels
hey, podcast listeners. Jillian Michaels here. If the world is feeling unstable right now and the noise and the chaos is overwhelming, if you're looking for clarity and truth, good or bad, I invite you to check out my my podcast, Keeping It Real with Jillian Michaels. Twice a week, I break down the biggest issues shaping our lives, and I sit down with bold guests for fearless, honest conversations. There are no talking points. There's no agenda. Just real discussions that challenge assumptions and demand clarity. Subscribe to Keeping It Real with Jillian Michaels Today anywhere you get your podcasts
- [22:06]
Mike Baker
in today's Back of the brief. At least 11 scientists tied to sensitive research have died or gone missing in recent years. And now, as a 2022 case resurfaces, it's raising a deeper question in Washington. Is this really a coincidence or a disturbing pattern hiding in plain sight? The latest chapter in this growing mystery is Amy Eskridge, a 34 year old researcher based in Huntsville, Alabama who died back in June of 2022 from what was rul as a self inflicted gunshot wound. At the time, her death didn't draw widespread national attention. But now it's being re examined in a very different light because it's being counted as the 11th case in a growing string of scientists who have either died or disappeared, many working in areas tied to US Military or nuclear programs or connected to UFO related studies. What once looked like a few isolated, unconnected incidents is now looking like a pattern, a series of incidents that seem disconcertedly similar. Let me walk you through the situation with a few of these cases. Michael Hicks, Frank Maywald, Nuno Lulero, Jason Thomas, and Carl Grillmire. They all died between 2023 and 2026. Now, some of those deaths were under unclear circumstances. Others were violent, including Grillmire, who was gunned down outside his home, and Lulero, who was shot at his residence and died a day later in tied to a mass shooting at Brown University late last year. And then there's Jason Thomas. He was an associate director of chemical biology at a pharmaceutical company. His body was discovered in a Massachusetts lake three months after he was last seen leaving his home late at night, almost as if under a spell. At the same time, at least five others tied to similar research spaces have been reported missing over that same period, including a retired Air Force major general. So when you step back, what you have is a tight cluster of deaths and disappearances involving individuals with access to high level scientific work compressed into just a few years. That's what's now forcing a response at the federal level. President Trump called the situation pretty serious, adding, I hope it's random, but we're going to know in the next week and a half. The White House said the administration is working with the FBI and other agencies to review the cases collectively, citing Trump's promise to leave no stone unturned in identifying any potential commonalities. But even with that federal response, one case does continue to draw the most attention, and that's Eskrich. Not just because of how she died, but because of what she said before she died. She co founded the Institute for Exotic Science and focused on experimental propulsion concepts, including what she described as anti gravity research. And in interviews before her death, she warned about what she saw as growing pressure surrounding her work. Eskridge said in a 2020 interview. We discovered anti gravity and people started sabotaging us. It's harassment, threats. It's awful. If you stick your neck out, they will bury you, but exactly who they is remains unclear. Is it an individual, organized group or something tied to a foreign adversary? Right now, there are no leads, at least publicly. So the question at the center of this investigation is simple but not easy to answer, of course. Are these unrelated tragedies that just happen to look connected, or is there something more sinister actually connected here that hasn't fully come into focus yet? And that, my friends, is the President's Daily brief from Monday, 20 April. Now, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdb@the first tv.com and I hope you had a chance to check out this weekend's episode of our PDB Situation Report. Great guests, excellent analysis and insight. And of course, with no empty calories or unpleasant aftertaste, you can find it in past episodes on our YouTube channel, at President's Daily Brief, and of course, on podcast platforms everywhere. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.