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It's Thursday, the 4th of June. 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, American and Israeli strikes may have damaged Iran's nuclear facilities. But of course, one critical question remains unanswered. Where is Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium now? Where did we put that uranium? Later in the show, Russia's billionaires are discovering that their fortunes may no longer be safe as Vladimir Putin moves to bring more of the country's economy under Kremlin control. Well, once a Communist, always a communist. Plus, Ukraine launches a large scale drone attack targeting St. Petersburg, just as Russia's annual economic forum, often called Putin's Davos, gets underway. And in today's Back of the Brief, federal prosecutors say a California businessman, a dual US Iranian tech bro, spent years helping Iran acquire sensitive American technology destined for the regime's nuclear program. But first, today's PDB Spotlight. Last year, as you likely recall, Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran's nuclear program during that 12 day war. The conflict culminated with Operation Midnight hammer, when American B2 bombers and submarine launched missiles struck key nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. Then this year, Iranian nuclear sites were targeted once again during Operation Epic Freedom. Now, the strikes, of course, damaged some of Iran's most important nuclear facilities, but exactly how much was destroyed and what may have survived underground, well, that remains a matter of debate. Initial comments from the White House and Pentagon declared the regime's nuke program obliterated or decimated. It all sounds grand, but later bomb damage assessments have been less optimistic. Today, one of the biggest unanswered questions concerns Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. According to a new report from the New York Times, the fate of that uranium has become one of the central issues in ongoing negotiations, well, such as they are between Washington and Tehran. And it may help explain why the Trump administration is now placing so much emphasis on diplomacy rather than resuming significant additional military action. The reason is relatively simple. Damaging or degrading nuclear facilities and actually eliminating a nuclear threat are, of course, not the same thing. Before the 12 Day War, Iran possessed roughly 970 pounds of enriched uranium up to 60% purity, according to estimates from the International Atomic Energy Agency. That's below the roughly 90% enrichment level that's generally associated with weapons grade uranium, but it is alarmingly close. Experts estimate that stockpile could potentially provide enough material for at least 10 nuclear weapons if further enriched and the enrichment process to get from 60% to weapons grade is, relatively speaking, much easier and quicker than the process to get from the beginning to that 60% level. And unlike a large enrichment facility, that amount of uranium doesn't require an enormous warehouse. According to the New York Times, the material can be stored in containers roughly the size of scuba tanks, making it possible, of course, to move, conceal, and disperse among multiple locations. And that reality has created a major challenge. Military planners can target centrifuge halls and enrichment plants, tunnel entrances, ventilation shafts, and power systems. But locating a relatively small quantity of nuclear material hidden somewhere inside a country the size of Iran is obviously a far more difficult task. The leading suspect remains a massive underground complex near the city of Isfahan. According to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, much of Iran's enriched uranium is believed to be stored somewhere beneath a mountain near the Isfahan nuclear complex. The facility is buried deep underground and may lie beyond the reach of even America's most powerful bunker buster bombs. Recent satellite imagery reviewed by analysts appears to show fresh earthworks, newly constructed barriers, buried tunnel entrances, and other defensive measures around the site. Some observers believe those changes may reflect an effort by Iran to harden the facility against future attacks, or perhaps against any attempt to seize the material stored inside. Analysts also point to imagery captured before the 12 day war showing what appeared to be a cargo truck parked near one of the tunnel entrances. Now, some experts believe the vehicle may have been transporting nuclear material, though others caution that there is no definitive proof of what it was carrying. An Isfahan isn't the only possibility. A smaller portion of the uranium stockpile may be located at Natanz. That's Iran's largest enrichment facility. Nearby sits another site known as Pickaxe Mountain, an underground complex that has reportedly been under construction for years. Satellite imagery suggests work has continued there even after repeated Israeli and American strikes, with new entrances, reinforced structures, and expanded security measures visible in recent months. Fordo remains another possibility, though it suffered significant damage during Operation Midnight Hammer. Even there, however, uncertainty remains. While the strikes may have severely damaged the facility itself or entrances to the facility, experts can't say with confidence whether any enriched uranium was present when the bombs fel. The larger concern is that the uranium may have been dispersed to various sites. If Iranian leaders anticipated future attacks, the logical move would be to divide the stockpile and store it across multiple facilities. The uranium's relatively small size makes that entirely feasible. And if that happened, well, locating and securing every portion of the stockpile would, of course, become significantly more difficult. Which brings us to the diplomatic challenge now facing the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers yesterday that sanctions relief could be tied to Iran surrendering its highly enriched uranium and abandoning key elements of its nuclear program. Now, that may sound like a relatively straightforward demand, and in reality, it may be the only solution in terms of finding and securing the enriched uranium. But the Iranian regime understands that they have very few points of leverage in negotiations. Essentially, they have the Strait of Hormuz and the enriched uranium. And as we discussed in yesterday's pdb, the regime, as illogical as it may seem, believes that they are negotiating from a position of strength. They're not likely to concede anything without receiving major concessions from the U.S. it is a staring contest of epic proportions. All right, coming up next, Russia's oligarchs find themselves in the Kremlin's crosshairs as Ukraine launches a large scale drone strike near St. Petersburg in retaliation for a major attack by Russia on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, I've spent a career thinking about how to protect what matters. The threats change, of course, but, well, the response doesn't. You stay aware and you stay prepared. Let me ask you a question. Did you know that last month the US treasury froze $344 million in crypto wallets linked to Iran? That's right. The adversaries are trying to do an end run around the US Dollar and Washington is seizing the proof of. But here's the twist. The same government freezing Iran's crypto is now stockpiling its own over 300,000 bitcoin held as a strategic reserve. The executive order calls it digital gold. Now, if Washington treats it as a reserve asset, you have to ask the question, is any of it inside your retirement account? That's where block trust comes in. An AI managed crypto, ira, institutional custody tax advantaged, built for people who take retirement seriously. And here's the best part For PDB listeners, $2,500 in free Bitcoin are yours when you open an account. That's right. Go to mikebakercrypto.com to claim your $2,500 in free Bitcoin. Again, that's Mike Baker, crypto.com. now, as you know, past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
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Welcome back to the pdb. One of the foundations of Vladimir Putin's grip on power may be starting to crack. And it's happening among the very people, people who helped build modern Russia. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Russia's wealthy elite are increasingly finding themselves in the Kremlin's crosshairs as the government moves to seize billions of dollars in private assets. The latest target is billionaire businessman Vadim Moshkovich, founder of one of Russia's largest agricultural companies. Last month, a Moscow court ordered the seizure of his family's controlling stake in the firm, accusing him of improperly combining public service with business interests more than a decade ago. On the surface, this might sound like a routine anti corruption case, but the broader trend tells a different story. Russian authorities seized roughly $15 billion worth of assets last year through so called anti corruption cases. Now, that's a staggering increase from previous years. Many of those targeted were businessmen who had served in parliament or held positions within the political system. Some were considered loyal supporters of the Kremlin. That matters because Russia's oligarchs aren't simply rich businessmen. For more than two decades, they've been a critical pillar of Putin's system. The arrangement was relatively straightforward. Stay loyal to the Kremlin, avoid challenging Putin politically, and in return, your wealth and business empire would largely remain intact. That bargain helped Putin maintain stability. Wealthy business leaders invested in key industries, employed millions of Russians, and served as informal power brokers across the country. They became an important part of the network that helped keep the Russian state functioning. But as the war in Ukraine drags into its fifth year and economic pressures continue to mount, that relationship appears to be changing. Increasingly, the Kremlin seems willing to revisit old business deals, reopen decades old allegations, and seize assets from individuals who once appeared untouchable. In some cases, confiscated companies have been transferred to state controlled entities or business groups viewed as more politically reliable. For Putin, there may be practical reasons behind the move. The war remains enormously expensive. Western sanctions continue to constrain parts of the Russian economy. And the government is searching for resources wherever it can find them, including in the pockets of oligarchs. But of course, there's also a political risk in this money grab. Authoritarian systems often rely on a delicate balance between fear and reward. Fear keeps elites loyal. Reward gives them a reason to stay loyal. If powerful businessmen begin to conclude that loyalty no longer guarantees protection, that calculation changes. To be clear, there's no sign of an imminent challenge to Putin's rule. Most of Russia's wealthiest figures remain publicly supportive of the Kremlin. But the recent wave of asset seizures sends a message that every oligarch will understand. In today's Russia, even decades of loyalty may not be enough. And for a leader who depends on a tightly controlled circle of political and economic elites to maintain power, that growing uncertainty could eventually become a problem for Vladimir Putin. Alright, speaking of Putin, let's turn to Putin's war. One day after Russia struck Kyiv with one of its largest aerial assaults in months, Ukraine delivered a reminder that it still retains the ability to strike deep inside Russian territory and perhaps more importantly, to do so at moments designed to maximize political and economic impact. Ukraine launched a large scale drone attack early Wednesday targeting multiple locations inside Russia, including Putin's hometown of St. Petersburg. Ukrainian officials said they struck a key oil export terminal in St. Petersburg after their drones Flew more than 600 miles to reach the target. While local authorities reported several injuries in the city, Russian officials said air defenses also intercepted 50 drones over the broader Leningrad region, which includes St. Petersburg, while Moscow's mayor reported that an additional 13 drones were shot down as they approached the Russian capital. Russia's defense ministry later claimed that a total of 754 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across the country over a 24 hour period, though that figure remains unconfirmed. On its own, the strike would represent another example of Ukraine's growing long range drone capabilities, but the timing is particularly noteworthy. The attacks coincided with the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, often referred to as Putin's Davos, one of the Kremlin's most important annual events. The conference, which began Wednesday afternoon, serves as Russia's premier showcase for foreign investors, international business leaders and government officials, and other high powered muckety mucks, allowing Moscow to project an image of economic resilience despite years of war and Western sanctions. This year's gathering is somewhat notable. Saudi Arabia was named this year's forum's guest country, while senior officials and business representatives from China, Iran and other nations are also participating. The Kremlin also announced that a small American delegation is attending for the first time in several years, which begs the question, who is in the small American delegation? So this latest attack by Kyiv is about far more than just damaging Russian energy infrastructure. Though degrading Moscow's ability to finance the war does of course remain a key objective. It's about embarrassing Putin in front of his allies and reminding Russian leadership that Ukraine has the ability to strike at the heart of their major cities and economic centers. Just 24 hours earlier, Russia launched more than 700 drones and missiles against Ukraine in one of the largest aerial bombardments in months, killing at least 22 people and injuring more than 100 across several cities. Moscow has increasingly relied on these long range strikes to pressure Ukraine as Russian battlefield gains remain costly and incremental. Wednesday's operation offered Kyiv an opportunity to respond in a way that carried both military and symbolic significance by targeting Putin's hometown. As foreign dignitaries and investors and business leaders gathered for one of the Kremlin's most important annual events, Ukraine targeted not only Russian energy infrastructure, but also Moscow's efforts to project stability, economic resilience and normalcy within their borders. Alright, coming up in the back of the brief, a Southern California Tech CEO has been arrested on charges that he supplied U.S. equipment to Iranian entities tied to the country's nuclear program. Hmm. What a patriot. More on that when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here with an important message about planning for you and your family's future. Now, whether you're in a one or a two income household, you are carrying a big responsibility. You know what I'm talking about, right? And part of that responsibility is to ensure your family is covered if something should happen to you. I'm talking about mortgage payments, tuition, daily bills. And while it's not a pleasant talk, taking steps to protect your family financially is now a lot easier than it used to be. And that's why I want to tell you about Ethos. Ethos makes getting life insurance fast and easy. The whole process is 100% online. You get a quote in seconds, you apply in minutes and get same day coverage. There's no medical exam. Just answer a few simple health questions and you can get up to $3 million in coverage. Some policies are as low as $30 a month. And Ethos has 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with over 4,000 reviews. You take 10 minutes to get covered today with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free', @ethos.com PDB Once again, that's Ethos. E t h o s ethos.com PDB Times may vary. Rates may vary. Hey, Mike Baker here with an important message for anyone on Medicare or preparing to sign up for Medicare now. Oftentimes, it's the small things, right, that can cost you the most over time. The little overpayments that you just don't notice. But that add up to big losses eventually. And for millions of seniors, that's exactly what could be happening with Medicare. The reality is you might be paying for coverage that no longer fits your life situation and those costs build up. That's why I've partnered with chapter. CHAPTER is 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 not, they'll help you fix it. On average, folks who work with CHAPTER save eleven hundred dollars a year just by finding a better fit. And get this, It's a free 20 minute call. So if you're turning 65 or you're already on Medicare, call Chapter at 915-67-1525. Again, that's Chapter at 915-671-5252. And do me a favor, tell them the PDB sent you.
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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.
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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. 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 property 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
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in today's back of the Brief, a federal raid in one of California's wealthiest communities pulled back the curtain on allegations that a technology executive spent more than a decade helping Iran acquire American technology for its nuclear and military establishments. Now, when you think about Iran's nuclear ambitions, you probably don't picture a multi million dollar mansion in coastal California. But early Wednesday morning, dozens of federal agents dressed in tactical gear assembled before dawn in Newport beach. Their target was 63 year old Jamshid Gomi, a technology executive who prosecutors say helped Iran obtain sensitive American technology. Authorities surrounded the sprawling property before taking Gomi into custody with no resistance. And if the allegations are true, it is a remarkable accusation because for years, successive administrations in the U.S. including the current one, have built sanctions specifically designed to keep advanced Western technology out of the hands of the Iranian regime. That goal was and is straightforward. Make it harder for Tehran to strengthen its military capabilities and advance a nuclear program that has long concerned Washington and its allies. Yet prosecutors allege Gomi found a way around those restrictions while generating millions of dollars in the process. Gomi, a dual U. S. Iranian citizen, has been charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. You say to yourself, does that have an acronym? Well, it certainly does. It's ieepa. I guess you could pronounce that iepa, but it's not very catchy. The federal law that underpins many American sanctions programs is this IEPA Act. According to the Justice Department, the operation centered on a Tehran based technology company, Faraz Pardaz Ryan. That just rolls off the tongue. Which Gomi allegedly used to acquire what the government describes as, quote, sophisticated U.S. origin networking, security and encryption equipment, end quote, for customers inside Iran. Among those customers, prosecutors say, were organizations tied to Iran's nuclear and military establishment, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the government agency responsible for country's nuclear program. Now, supplying the technology was one challenge. Getting it into Iran was another. Federal investigators alleged Gomi arranged the shipment of more than 250 tons of controlled American technology into Iran to disguise the hardware's final destination. Prosecutors say he relied on freight forwarders, intermediaries and companies operating in Dubai. Authorities further allege Gomi used his own eBay and PayPal accounts to make hundreds of additional purchases of networking equipment that was ultimately shipped into Iran. And the money trail is, is one of the things that really stands out. Federal tax filings allegedly show remarkably little income. In fact, prosecutors say the highest annual income at Gomi reported was just $20,700. At the same time, investigators allege his technology business was generating more than $10 million annually in sales. And he constructed a $35 million mansion. Yeah, in the world of counterintelligence, those would be considered clues. Prosecutors also accuse him of claiming tax credits intended for low and moderate income Americans in seven different tax years. Despite allegedly reporting more than $1.7 million in mortgage interest and roughly $1.25 million in state and local real estate taxes. So it wasn't enough for him to allegedly break sanctions laws and help his overlords in Iran. This guy also reportedly decided to engage in good old American tax fraud. Now, if prosecutors ultimately prove the case, it would represent one of the more significant examples in recent years of American technology allegedly finding its way into Iran's sanctioned nuclear and military sectors through a US Based procurement network. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily brief for Thursday 4th June. Now, if you have any questions or comments, and I hope you do, please reach out to me@pdbhefirsttv.com and of course, if you're jonesing for an ad free PDB experience, do the kids still say Jones? And just become a premium member of the President's Daily brief by visiting PDB premium.com It's all that and a bag of chips, as the kids say. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.
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It.