PDB Afternoon Bulletin | April 9th, 2026: Iran’s Demands Revealed & Russia’s Submarine Operation

Summary

Podcast Summary: The President’s Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin | April 9, 2026 Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Date: April 9, 2026
Episode Theme: Iran’s Ceasefire Demands & Russian Submarine Operations Exposed

---

Episode Overview

This episode of The President’s Daily Brief centers on two pressing international developments: the first U.S.-Iran face-to-face talks since the outbreak of war, and Britain’s exposure of a covert Russian submarine operation near UK waters. Mike Baker methodically dissects both topics, highlighting implications for U.S. policy, global security, and the evolving nature of hybrid warfare.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

---

1. U.S.-Iran Face-to-Face Talks and Iran’s Opening Demands

[00:12 – 10:02]

• Historic Meeting Under Fragile Ceasefire

  • U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet for the first time since the onset of the war, with Pakistan (Islamabad) set as the meeting place.
  • The talks coincide with a tenuous two-week "ceasefire"—which Baker describes cynically as “a lull or a pause...where the firing hasn’t actually ceased.”

• Tehran’s 10-Point Opening Position

  • Iran’s plan is described as a set of high-bar demands, including:

    1. Strait of Hormuz Control
       • Iran wants to maintain control over this strategic waterway as its main bargaining chip.
         • “Tehran clearly wants to maintain authority there, even under a ceasefire. It’s all about controlling global energy flows and using that as pressure…” [01:24]
    2. Broad Sanctions Relief
       • Calls for primary and secondary sanctions to be lifted, allowing reintegration of Iran’s economy with the world.
         • “That’s a major ask...especially when it comes to sanctions tied to terrorism and human rights.” [02:09]
    3. Preservation of Nuclear Program
       • Insists on its right to enrich uranium; any future limits must stop short of dismantlement—a U.S. non-starter.
         • “There is no scenario where Iran is allowed to retain a pathway to a nuclear weapon…” [02:44]
    4. Removal of International Pressure
       • End UN sanctions and IAEA investigations, essentially “wiping the slate” on Iran’s nuclear history—something Baker notes the West is reluctant to do.
         • “There has never been full transparency when it comes to the Iranian nuclear program.” [03:18]
    5. Security Guarantees
       • Seeks ironclad promises against future foreign military action—a demand that raises complex questions about enforceability.

  • Negotiable Points

    • Possible softening on demands for war compensation and full U.S. troop withdrawal, though these have historically been part of Iran’s negotiation posture.

  • Ceasefire Scope

    • Iran’s plan covers multiple fronts—including Hezbollah action in Lebanon—but the U.S. and Israel have made clear they reject this expanded scope.

• Skepticism About Iran’s Intentions

  • Baker expresses doubt about Tehran’s good faith, referencing a recurring pattern:
    • “Even if you assume some of these positions are negotiable, there’s still a bigger question, whether Iran is actually negotiating in good faith. Because we’ve seen this pattern before. Agreements on paper followed by gradual steps away from those commitments over time.” [04:35]
  • He critiques any belief in a “new regime” in Tehran, reminding listeners that "the reality is they're still dealing with the Islamic Republic...no reason to believe, at least not yet, that we're somehow dealing with a kinder, gentler, more reasonable government." [05:29]

---

2. British Authorities Expose Russian Submarine Operation

[10:19 – 13:49]

• UK Defense Alert on Russian Activity

  • British Defense Secretary John Healy reveals a “coordinated Russian operation” involving:
    • An Akula-class attack sub (possibly a decoy)
    • Two specialized “spy” submarines linked to the Russian Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research (GUGI).
  • The subs operated undetected north of the UK for nearly a month before being challenged and pushed out.

• Target: Critical Undersea Infrastructure

  • The focus: Undersea cables and pipelines crucial for global data, communication, and financial transactions.
  • Baker contextualizes this as part of Russia’s “broader hybrid warfare strategy against the West.”
    • “The Kremlin targets undersea infrastructure as part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy…” [11:40]

• UK Response & Message

  • The Royal Navy and RAF monitored the subs, deploying sonar buoys to make detection overt—a clear, deliberate signal to Russia.
  • Direct Warning from the Defense Secretary:
    • “We see you over our cables and our pipelines...” and any damage "will not be tolerated.” [12:09]
    • U.K. now considers Russia the “primary threat to Britain and to NATO.”

• Timing & Motive

  • The operation coincided with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, suggesting Russia gambled on Western distraction.

• Reconnaissance, Not Sabotage—Yet

  • No physical damage was done, indicating reconnaissance—laying groundwork for potential future disruptions.
    • “That almost makes this more concerning, because what this looks like is reconnaissance, the kind of activity you carry out when you're preparing options, not necessarily executing them...” [13:14]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Baker’s Cynicism on Ceasefire Meaning:

  • “Whatever the word is for a ceasefire where the firing hasn’t actually ceased.” [00:39]

• On Iran’s Demands:

  • “Maybe in today’s world everybody gets a trophy, but the key thing to understand here is this: It’s not a deal, it’s a starting point.” [01:10]

• Trust Issues in Nuclear Talks:

  • “That old adage, trust but verify, well, that only works if you can fully verify. Up to now, it’s been trust but verify, whatever the Iranians are willing to show you.” [03:32]

• On Russian Threat:

  • “Healey wanted to make sure that message landed—in his press conference, the British Defense Secretary issued a direct warning to Moscow, saying, ‘We see you over our cables and our pipelines,’ and making clear that any attempt to damage that infrastructure ‘will not be tolerated.’” [12:09]

• Hybrid Warfare Framing:

  • “The Kremlin targets undersea infrastructure as part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy against the West.” [11:40]

---

Important Timestamps

• U.S.-Iran Talks Overview: 00:12 – 05:45
• Iran’s 10-Point Plan Detailed: 01:10 – 05:25
• Baker’s Analysis & Skepticism: 04:35 – 05:45
• Russian Submarine Operation Exposed: 10:19 – 13:49
• British Response & Warning: 11:45 – 12:45

---

Tone & Style

Baker’s delivery blends a wry, somewhat cynical tone with clear, concise intelligence analysis. He displays skepticism regarding diplomatic progress, focusing on strategic realities over surface narratives. Throughout, the episode offers context that’s direct and accessible to lay listeners, sprinkled with memorable phrases and subtle dry humor.

---

In summary:
This episode provides a succinct yet thorough briefing on two urgent security topics: Iran’s maximalist opening in U.S. talks, and Russian undersea maneuvering near Britain. Baker unpacks the stakes, likely outcomes, and what listeners should watch for, all through the lens of his intelligence background and signature sharp style.

Transcript

[Mike Baker]

It's Thursday the 9th of April. Welcome to the PDB afternoon bulletin, I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, U. S and Iranian officials are set to meet face to face for the first time since the war began. Now, as talks kick off in Pakistan, at least that's the current plan. But Tehran's opening demands suggest a deal may still be a long ways off. Later in the show, British officials expose a covert Russian submarine operation targeting undersea cables and pipelines, raising new concerns about Moscow's hybrid warfare playbook. But first, today's afternoon spotlight. For the first time since the war began, U.S. and Iranian officials are reportedly expected to sit down face to face. And with talks set to begin as early as tomorrow in Islamabad, Pakistan. Now, this comes as part of that fragile two week ceasefire window or whatever the word is for a ceasefire that where the firing hasn't actually ceased. And key conditions for the ceasefire or whatever it is, have yet to be met. But essentially it's a lull or a pause in the fighting, perhaps meant to give both sides time to negotiate towards something more permanent. And according to multiple reports and senior officials are already on their way, with Vice President J.D. vance expected to lead the U.S. delegation. Now, before those talks even begin, we've already had a pretty clear look at how Tehran plans to approach them. Iran has put forward what amounts to an opening position, a 10 point plan that, while not agreed to by Washington, offers a window into what they'll be pushing for once negotiators sit down at the table, if in fact they do sit down at the table. This is the plan that President Trump called a quote, workable basis on which to negotiate. Now, others have referred to it as a list of maximalist demands put forward by a regime that is now claiming victory, which is awkward since the US Is also claiming victory. Maybe in today's world everybody gets a trophy, but the key thing to understand here is this. It's not a deal, it's a starting point. First, let's look at the key issues here, the ones where there really haven't been any agreements so far. First, the Strait of Hormuzzi at the center of Iran's opening position is control over that critical waterway. It's the regime's main, possibly only, point of leverage. Tehran clearly wants to maintain authority there, even under a ceasefire. It's all about controlling global energy flows and using that as pressure on the U.S. and allies. The U.S. declared at the start of the ceasefire or whatever it is that the two week cessation of hostilities was dependent on the strait being reopened. Well, that hasn't happened. And by the looks of it, the Iranian regime isn't intending to back down. Second, they're demanding broad sanctions relief. Iran's proposal calls for lifting both primary and secondary sanctions, essentially opening the door for U.S. and foreign businesses to re engage with the Iranian economy. Now that's a major ask and one that would run straight into political and legal hurdles in Washington, especially when it comes to sanctions tied to terrorism and human rights. Well, such as the right to not to be slaughtered by your own government when you take to the streets in peaceful protest. Third, they're demanding that they preserve their nuclear program. Now, Tehran is still pushing for recognition of its right to enrich uranium. There may be room for limits or caps here, but the core demand hasn't changed. They're not agreeing to give that capability up entirely. And that one's a non starter for the Trump administration. The White House has been clear there is no scenario where Iran is allowed to retain a pathway to to a nuclear weapon, and that includes domestic uranium enrichment. So right away you've got a fundamental gap, a very sizable fundamental gap between where Iran is starting and where Washington says it's willing to end up. Fourth, they're demanding the rolling back of international pressure. Iran wants the removal of UN sanctions as well as an end to ongoing investigations by the International Atomic Energy Agency and to its past nuclear activity that would effectively clear the slate internationally. Something the US and its European allies have been reluctant to do without full transparency. And there has never been full transparency when it comes to the Iranian nuclear program. That old adage, trust but verify, well, that only works if you can fully verify. Up to now, it's been trust but verify, whatever the Iranians are willing to show you. Fifth, they're demanding security guarantees. Tehran is looking for assurances that it won't face future military action potentially backed by outside powers. Now, that raises big questions about enforcement of that and whether any third party would realistically take on that role. And then there are the demands that, at least for now, appear to be perhaps negotiable. Things like financial compensation for war damage and a full withdrawal of US Forces from the region. Those positions Iran has historically pushed. But they may already be walking back as talks approach. And finally, there's the issue of scope. Iran's proposal includes ceasefires across all fronts, including against their key terror proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. But Washington has made clear that's not part of the current agreement. And as we've seen over the past several days. Well, Israel certainly isn't on board with that idea. Now, there's another layer to this that I'd be remiss to not mention because as you know, well, I'm a bit of a cynic here. Even if you assume some of these positions are negotiable, there's still a bigger question, whether Iran is actually negotiating in good faith. Because we've seen this pattern before. Agreements on paper followed by gradual steps away from those commitments over time. And despite the White House running with the narrative that they're now dealing with a whole new regime, the reality is they're still dealing with the Islamic Republic. Now, many of the faces in leadership positions may be new, but there's no reason to believe, at least not yet, that we're somehow dealing with a kinder, gentler, more reasonable government. All right, coming up next, Russia sends submarines toward UK waters in what looks like a covert operation targeting undersea cables and pipelines. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take a moment to talk

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

about personal finances and the importance of diversifying your assets. So here's the question. Do you own physical, physical gold?

[Mike Baker]

Well, in today's world with its ups and downs and what some would consider

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

general instability, owning gold is something that everyone should consider. And here's a top tip. Acre Gold makes it simple. That's Acre a C R E. With

[Mike Baker]

Acre Gold, you pick a plan that

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

fits your budget, you make monthly payments, and when you've accumulated enough, well, they ship you a beautifully designed 24 karat Swiss gold bar. Gold is up 70% year over year.

[Mike Baker]

And central banks, well, they're still buying

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

it up at record levels. The reality is smart money has been moving into hard assets for a reason. And Acre Gold makes investing and owning gold easier than ever. And let me just say, once you hold a physical asset like gold in your hands, well, you understand the difference between owning something real, something physical, as compared to investments that are just numbers on a screen. And right now, they're giving away 18 grams of gold in their Acre declassified sweepstakes. Just enter for free and subscribe to [e-mail] PDB Again, that's getacregold.com/pdb. Hey, Mike Baker here with a message for dog lovers everywhere.

[Mike Baker]

Now, if you're like me, dogs are

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

an important part of family life, right? We've got two. Our 14 year old golden retriever, Hendrix, and our very cute but somewhat dim witted King Charles spaniel, Monty Right. But when it comes to dog food, I think you know this, there always seems to be a compromise, right? It's either fresh and healthy or it's easy to store and serve. And that's why we love Sundaes for Dogs. With the Sundaes for Dogs brand, you get both fresh and healthy dog food that's easy to store and serve. Founded by veterinarian Dr. Tori Waxman, Sundaes is created with air dried real food made in a human food grade kitchen using the same ingredients that you'd use

[Mike Baker]

to cook for your family.

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

Every bite is clean, packed with real meat, fruits and veggies. There's no weird, unpronounceable ingredients, no fillers. And compared to other brands, While sundaes invest 50 times more in its ingredients, for true premium quality, there's no cost cutting. Just scoop and serve. No freezer, no thawing, no prep, no mess. Make the switch to Sundays. Go right now to Sundays for dogs.com PDB50 and get 50% off your first order. Or you can use code PDB50 at checkout. That's 50% off your first order at Sundays for dogs.com Pdb50. Again, that's Sundays for dogs.com PDb50 or use the code PDB50 at checkout.

[Mike Baker]

Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, did you know that Fast Growing Trees is America's largest and most trusted online nursery? Did you know that they've got thousands of trees and plants and over 2 million happy customers? Come on, seriously. 2 million satisfied customers. They have all the plants your yard or home needs, including fruit trees and privacy trees, flowering trees, shrubs, don't forget your shrubs and houseplants.

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

All grown with care and guaranteed to

[Mike Baker]

arrive on your doorstep healthy. Whatever you're looking for, Fast Growing Trees helps you find options that actually work for your climate, for your space, for your lifestyle. Right now they have great deals on spring planting essentials, up to half off on select plants. And listeners to the PDB get 20% off their first purchase when using the code PDB at checkout. That's an additional 20% off for better plants and better growing at fast growing trees.com using the code PDB at checkout. That's fast growingtrees.com code PDB. Now is the perfect time to plant and use code PDB to save Today offers valid for a limited time, terms and conditions may apply.

[VRBO Advertiser]

With VRBO's last minute deals, you can save over $50 on your spring getaway. So whether it's a Mountain Escape City break or a week at the Beach. There's still time to get great discounts. Book your next day now. Average savings $72. Select homes only.

[Mike Baker]

Welcome back to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. A new warning out of the United Kingdom today details how British officials exposed a covert Russian submarine operation targeting the country's critical undersea infrastructure. According to British Defense Secretary John Healy, this appeared to be a coordinated Russian operation involving an Akula class attack submarine alongside two specialized spy subs, assets that operated in the Atlantic north of the UK for nearly a month before being pushed out. And I want to point out an interesting detail. In Healy's speech, he said the Russian attack submarine may have been a decoy. It was potentially designed to draw attention while something else was happening beneath the surface. So you ask, what were they up to? Well, the two spy submarines are tied to Russia's Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research, known as Googie. It's a clandestine unit with a fun sounding name that Western officials have been monitoring closely for years. Their focus, well, their focus is the seabed. I'm talking, of course, about undersea cables and pipelines, the infrastructure that quietly powers global communications, financial systems and data flows. And here on the pdb, we've discussed how the Kremlin targets undersea infrastructure as part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy against the West. Now, here's what London did in response. Healey says a Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P8 surveillance aircraft, working alongside allies, tracked these submarines around the clock for weeks. And it wasn't some passive monitoring. The UK military dropped sonar buoys into the water, sending a clear signal to the Russians that they've been detected. And whatever they thought was covert was no longer covert. And Healey wanted to make sure that message landed. In his press conference, the British Defense Secretary issued a direct warning to Moscow, saying, quote, we see you over our cables and our pipelines and making clear that any attempt to damage that infrastructure, quote, will not be tolerated. Healey then made clear that London views Moscow's posture as, quote, the primary threat to Britain and to NATO. It's important to understand when this operation took place, British officials say all of this unfolded while the world's attention was of course, fixed on the Middle east as the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran. And Healey made clear that he believes that was intentional, that Moscow was likely betting the west would be distracted. So Healey is framing this as part of a broader escalation in Russian activity targeting NATO infrastructure. Just last year, the Russian spy ship Yantar carried out sustained operations around UK waters, including a 13 month stretch of monitoring key infrastructure nodes. To be clear, there's no indication that any cables or pipelines were actually damaged during this latest Russian operation, unlike what we've seen in the Baltic Sea from Russia's shadow fleet. But that almost makes this more concerning, because what this looks like is reconnaissance, the kind of activity you carry out when you're preparing options, not necessarily executing them, mapping out infrastructure, testing defenses, perhaps testing new technology. And while these submarines have since retreated north, the questions for the UK military and intel services are what information was the Kremlin trying to collect? And how might that information be used in the future? And that, my friends, is the PDB afternoon bulletin for Thursday, the 9th of April. Now, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdb@the first tv.com and to listen to the show ad free.

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

Well, you can do that. You know that.

[Mike Baker]

It's very simple. Just become a premium member of the President's Daily brief by visiting PDB premium.com I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.

[Mike Baker (Advertisement Voice)]

Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, you probably heard me talk about Gold Belly, right? It's the amazing company that brings iconic foods from America's greatest chefs straight to your doorstep. It's that simple. Well, as you may be aware, also coming right around the corner is Mother's Day. And what better way to make mom feel special than to order up food she's going to love, right? Gold Belly celebrates the best of America by shipping the country's most celebrated foods from legendary eateries straight to your door. And they'll ship anywhere across the country for free in time for Mother's Day. So come on, everything I've ordered from Gold Belly shows up perfectly packed and. And it's delicious. As an example, you can celebrate your mom with Ina Gartens coconut cupcakes. I've had these and they are incredible. Or how about the Loveless Cafes Southern Biscuit Brunch from Gold Belly. Also amazingly delicious. So if you're looking to make Mother's Day perfect, or maybe you just want to impress your friends and family with an epic meal next time you host. And who doesn't want to do that? Well, then go to goldbelly.com and get free shipping and 20% off your first order with promo code PDB. That's goldbelly.com code PDB for free shipping and 20% off your 1st order.

[Robo Advertiser]

You know what they say, early bird gets the ultimate vacation home. Book early and save over $120 with Robo because early gets you closer to the action, whether it's waves lapping at the shore or snoozing in a hammock that overlooks. Well, whatever you want it to so you can all enjoy the payoff come summer with Vrbo's early booking deals. Rise and shine. Average savings $141 select homes only.