PDB Afternoon Bulletin | March 18th, 2026: Iran’s Security Forces Are Now On The Run & Russia Boosts Tehran’s War Effort

Summary

Podcast Summary: The President's Daily Brief – PDB Afternoon Bulletin | March 18, 2026

Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Episode Theme: Iran’s Security Forces On the Defensive & Russian Support to Tehran’s War Effort
Date: March 18, 2026
Duration: ~20 minutes

---

Episode Overview

Today's episode delivers critical updates on two major fronts:

• The intensifying pressure on Iran’s internal security forces amid Israeli precision strikes.
• Russia’s deepening military and intelligence support to Iran, specifically via advanced satellite intelligence and drone upgrades.

Mike Baker breaks down recent Wall Street Journal reporting and intelligence community insights, moving from frontline events in Iran to the evolving Russia-Iran strategic partnership. The episode examines implications for US national security and the broader regional conflict.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Iran’s Security Apparatus Under Siege

[00:42 – 07:45]

• Internal Forces on the Run:
  Israeli strikes have forced Iran's security and enforcement units (Basij militia, internal police, elements of the IRGC) out of traditional bases and command centers.

  • “Some are now sleeping in their cars, hiding under highway overpasses, and even setting up tents in wooded areas outside Tehran, just trying to stay alive.” – Mike Baker [02:08]

• Shift in Targeting Philosophy:
  US efforts focus on Iran’s standard military assets (missile launchers, air defenses, industrial base), whereas Israel directly targets the regime’s internal control units.

  • Notably, these are the same elements responsible for recent civilian suppression and crackdowns on protestors.

• Escalating Israeli Operations:
  Israeli campaign has destroyed thousands of regime internal security targets, including makeshift fallback locations like sports stadiums and even hospitals.

  • “Israel has dropped roughly 10,000 munitions across thousands of targets, including more than 2,000 tied specifically to Iran’s internal security forces.” [03:36]
  • Example: At Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, hundreds of security personnel were killed after regrouping there. [03:56]

• Precision Targeting & Internal Intelligence Leaks:
  Operations now rely on real-time intel, increasingly tracking and attacking small groups and even individual security officials using drones.

  • Local Iranian citizens are feeding information to Israeli operatives, marking a notable internal shift.
  • “In one reported case, a tip led Israeli forces to a wooded area outside Tehran, where the head of the Basij militia was reportedly killed while hiding in a tent with his deputies.” [05:36]

• Psychological Pressure:
  Israeli intelligence is contacting Iranian commanders directly to threaten consequences if they continue supporting the regime.

  • Security personnel have abandoned facilities, hiding in civilian spaces and even resorting to sleeping in stairwells or buses.

• Breakdown of Policing:
  Routine policing and crime investigations have stalled as internal security resources stretch thin.

  • “Routine crime investigations have stalled, not because the crimes have stopped, but because there’s no one left at the station to handle them.” [06:50]

• Limits of Air Campaigns:
  Baker reminds listeners that airpower alone rarely topples regimes, but Israel’s campaign has placed the system under unprecedented stress.

  • “Being ‘on the run’ doesn’t necessarily mean they’re losing control, but it does suggest the systems designed to enforce that control are under real stress.” [07:20]

• Open Question:

  • “Is this the beginning of something breaking inside Iran or just the chaos of a regime that still knows how to hold on?” [07:38]

---

2. Russia’s Growing Role in Iran’s War Effort

[10:17 – 16:43]

• Russian Intelligence & Technology Support:
  Moscow now provides Iran with not just general intelligence, but actionable satellite targeting data to enhance strikes against US and allied assets.

  • “Moscow is now supplying Tehran with targeting data via satellites that gives the regime a far more precise picture of US and allied positions before and after strikes.” [11:37]

• Upgraded Drone Capabilities:
  Russia supplies improved navigation and communication components for Iranian Shahed drones and shares tactics refined during the Ukraine conflict.

  • Russia is teaching Iran how to deploy drone swarms for maximum effect (attack sequencing, altitudes, and saturating air defenses).
    • “Russian support... enables them to better target and kill U.S. personnel. The U.S. administration can be dismissive of all that, but it doesn’t in any way change those facts.” – Mike Baker [16:22]
  • Recent Iranian attacks are showing increased accuracy and coordination.

• Operational Impacts:
  Iranian attacks on sensitive US systems, such as ‘THAAD’ missile defense in Jordan, have mirrored Russian techniques from Ukraine (saturation and follow-up precision strikes).

  • “Iran appears to be having greater success targeting U.S. and Gulf state military assets... than it did during last year’s brief 12 day war, raising new questions about how much of that improvement may be tied to expanding Russian support.” [14:55]

• Deepening Alliance:
  Iran and Russia’s partnership accelerated after the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Iran supplied Russia with tens of thousands of Shahed drones, while Russia now manufactures them domestically, refines them, and cycles improvements back to Iran.

  • “A two-way pipeline of military innovation.” [15:57]
  • Russian government denies all involvement; US officials and intelligence sources see clear evidence of collaboration.

• Strategic Implications:
  Baker challenges the White House to acknowledge the severity of Russian support:

  • “Russia is an adversary to the U.S.; also another fact. And they have a very close relationship with Iran on military matters, including technology and intelligence… Russian support to Iran during this conflict makes Iran more lethal.” [16:02]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the paradigm shift inside Iran:
  “Is this the beginning of something breaking inside Iran or just the chaos of a regime that still knows how to hold on?”
  — Mike Baker [07:38]

• On Russian intelligence impact:
  “This is no longer just broad intelligence sharing, it's actionable battlefield information… providing the Iranian military and IRGC with detailed insight into both land-based and sea-based targets.”
  — Mike Baker [12:13]

• On the limits of air campaigns:
  “History shows that air campaigns, even aggressive ones, rarely topple regimes on their own.”
  — Mike Baker [06:57]

• On US policy response:
  “The White House at some point will have to deal with the reality that the Kremlin is providing Iran with the ability to more effectively target American lives and facilities in the region. It’s a simple fact…”
  — Mike Baker [15:56]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:42 – 07:45] Iran’s internal security collapse and Israeli precision strikes
• [07:45 – 08:45] The big question: is regime control breaking?
• [10:17 – 16:43] Russia’s direct military/intelligence support for Iran and the operational impact
• [14:24 – 15:57] How Russia and Iran’s military innovation pipeline evolved
• [16:02 – 16:43] Strategic implications and US policy challenges

---

Tone and Style

Mike Baker’s delivery is urgent, direct, and grounded in intelligence analysis. He highlights operational realities and strategic implications without sensationalizing, urging US policymakers and listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about adversarial cooperation and regional instability.

---

Conclusion

This episode of The President’s Daily Brief gives listeners a concise but comprehensive assessment of shifting power dynamics in the Middle East. Mike Baker outlines Iran’s internal chaos amid Israeli pressure and illuminates how Russia’s hands-on support is raising the lethality and sophistication of Iranian military operations—posing evolving risks to US and allied forces. The analysis ends with a clear call for awareness and policy adjustment as adversarial partnerships deepen.

Transcript

[Fox News Announcer]

Fox News is now streaming live on Fox 1. When news breaks, we don't just report it. We go beyond the headlines to get the full story. Get live coverage in depth analysis and perspectives from the voices you trust all in one place. Whether you're at home or on the go. Stay connected to the stories shaping our world stream. Fox News on Fox 1. Download today,

[Mike Baker]

It's Wednesday, the 18th of March. 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, new reporting reveals Iran's security forces are now on the run as Israeli strikes push regime enforcers out of their headquart quarters and into hiding. Later in the show, Russia is now backing Iran more directly with new reporting that Moscow is providing satellite imagery and upgraded drone technology to target U.S. and allied forces. But first, today's afternoon spotlight. I want to start with some very solid new reporting from the Wall Street Journal that's giving us an inside look at what's happening inside Iran and what we're starting to see are signs that the regime's internal security apparatus is under increasing pressure. Iran's security forces aren't operating out of established headquarters and known facilities anymore. They're not coordinating from command centers or fortified compounds. According to reports, some are now sleeping in their cars, hiding under highway overpasses, and even setting up tents in wooded areas outside Tehran, just trying to stay alive. Now, from the outset, the US Focused on degrading Iran's military capabilities. Its missile launchers, its air defenses, its industrial base, its. But Israel took on a different mission, going after the regime's internal enforcement arms that would be the besieged militia, internal police units, and elements of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, the irgc, responsible for keeping control inside the country. In other words, while the US Focused on Iran's military, Israel was striking at the security elements responsible for suppressing protests and maintaining internal order, the units mostly responsible for the recent murder of thousands of Iranians and during the popular uprising earlier this year. And now that campaign appears to have evolved. According to the Journal, Israel has dropped roughly 10,000 munitions across thousands of targets, including more than 2,000 tied specifically to Iran's internal security forces. It started with large, fixed targets, headquarters, command posts, staging areas. Then Israeli intelligence identified fallback locations, places where these forces would regroup. And once those facilities were destroyed, one example would be sports stadiums. For example, at Tehran's Azadi Stadium, hundreds of security personnel were reportedly killed after gathering there as part of a contingency plan. In other cases, Police and militia units have taken over hospitals, forcing patients aside. But what we're seeing now is something more precise. It's no longer just about striking locations. It's about tracking people. Israeli forces are now flying loitering surveillance and armed drones over Tehran, targeting small units, checkpoints, patrols, even individual Basij teams, in some cases just two or three personnel at a time. In the past 24 hours, Israel says it's also killed Iran's intelligence minister, Esmeral Khatib, in an overnight strike. If confirmed well, that would mark the third senior Iranian official tied to internal security that's been eliminated in less than 48 hours. Part of what makes this campaign different is the level of intelligence penetration. According to the reporting, Israeli operatives are receiving tips from inside Iran, from ordinary citizens, pointing out where security forces are gathering or hiding. In one reported case, a tip led Israeli forces to a wooded area outside Tehran, where the head of the besieged militia was reportedly killed while hiding in a tent with his deputies. At the same time, there are reports of direct psychological pressure. Israeli intelligence agents allegedly contacting Iranian commanders by phone, warning them by name, threatening consequences if they continue to support the regime. And on the ground, the effects are starting to show. Security personnel are reportedly abandoning traditional facilities and moving into civilian spaces, mosques, residential buildings, underneath highway bridges to avoid detection. Some have been sleeping in stairwells or inside buses. Basic policing functions are beginning to break down. In some areas, routine crime investigations have stalled, not because the crimes have stopped, but because there's no one left at the station to handle them. Now, as always, it's important to keep this in perspective. History shows that air campaigns, even aggressive ones, rarely topple regimes on their own. And despite everything that we're seeing, Iran's security forces are still in the streets. They're still capable of suppressing dissent, still capable of maintaining order, at least from for now. So being, quote, on the run doesn't necessarily mean they're losing control, but it does suggest something else. It suggests that the systems designed to enforce that control are under real stress, forced to adapt, disperse, and operate in ways that they weren't built for. And that raises the bigger question going forward. Is this the beginning of something breaking inside Iran or just the chaos of a regime that still knows how to hold on? Later in the show, a closer look at Russia's growing role in this conflict, as new reporting shows that Moscow is sharing intelligence and drone technology to bolster Iran's war effort. I'll have those details when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take just a moment to Talk about personal finances and the importance of diversifying your assets. So here's the do you own physical gold in today's world with its ups and downs and general instability? And it looks like there's some general instability out there. Owning gold is something that everyone should consider. And here's a top tip. Acre Gold makes it simple. That's Acre Acre. With Acre Gold, you pick a plan that fits your budget, you make monthly payments, and when you've saved up enough, they ship you a beautifully designed 24 karat Swiss gold bar. Gold is up 70% year over year. And central banks, well, they're still buying gold at record levels. The reality is smart money has been moving into hard assets for a reason. And Aagle 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 over 18 grams of gold in their acre declassified sweepstakes. Enter for free and subscribe to [e-mail] PDB Once again, that's getacregold.com PDB Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, here's the hard truth, and I'm sorry to bring this up, but we are all getting older, right? And getting older can hit dudes pretty hard. With me, once I got into my 40s, it seemed like I was hitting a wall. Same workouts, same diet, but everything was just getting more difficult. You know what I'm talking about? Recovery slowed, energy dipped. Very frustrating. The reality is most men lose about 1% of testosterone yearly after age 30. That's just life. But Mars Men, well, Mars Men helps free the usable testosterone with eight natural, clinically dosed ingredients. There's no synthetics, there's no needles. And here's the thing. Since starting up with Mars Men, my strength, recovery times and steady daily energy have all improved. For a limited time, our listeners get 50 off for life. Get that 50 off for life plus free shipping and three free gifts@ Mengotomars.com that's Mengotomars.com for 50 off and three free gifts. When you check out, after you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Do me a favor if you could, tell them the PDB sent you. Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, look, I do not mess around when it comes to comfort. And if something's going to be part of my daily routine, well, it better be comfortable. And it Better hold up. And that's why I love Cozy Earth. Have you heard about them? Well, we recently tried their socks. My wife got a pair and noticed the difference right away. Said they were soft, breathable, comfortable all day, no bunching, no slipping. Who needs any of that? And look, they've got sock options for everything, right? They got working out socks, they got boot socks, they got lounging around the house socks. I kind of sound like Dr. Seuss. So I gave them a shot. And yes, they deliver. You put them on in the morning and that's the last time you think about them. And that is frankly what you should have with socks. Then there's the bedding. We got their comforter on the bed now and it's the same story. It's lightweight, doesn't trap heat, and just consistently comfortable, right? No overheating, no kicking it off halfway through the night, just solid sleep. And that's really what Cozy Earth does very well. No hype, just well made products that do what they're supposed to do with incredible comfort. And they back it up too. A 100 night sleep draw and a 10 year warranty. Think about that. A 10 year warranty. Come on. So you can try it out without taking a risk. Go check them out. You're going to like what you see. Discover how care in every detail transforms simple routines into real comfort. Head on over to cozyearth.com and use my code PDB for up to 20% off. That's PDB for up to 20 percent off. And if you get a post purchase survey, well, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on

[Vanta Advertiser]

the PDB security program on spreadsheets, new regulations piling up and audit dread. It's time for Vanta. Vanta automates security and compliance, brings evidence into one place and cuts audit prep by 82%. Less manual work, clearer visibility, faster deals, zero chaos. Call it compliance. Or call it compliance. Get it? Join the 15,000 companies using Vanta to prove trust. Go to vanta.com calm.

[Mike Baker]

Welcome back to the PDB afternoon Bulletin. For a while we've been tracking reports that Russia may be quietly sharing intelligence with Iran on US Military movements across the Middle East. That support appears to be expanding with Moscow now providing satellite imagery to help Tehran target American assets more effectively. If you've been following PDB coverage of the war, well, you'll remember that early in this conflict, anonymous intelligence sources suggested that the Kremlin had been providing the regime with drone targeting information on US military forces and regional allies across the Gulf. The White House was dismissive of those reports, saying that even if true, Russia's assistance wouldn't have a negative impact on US Operations. That reporting then later expanded with indications that Moscow may be helping the regime refine its drone tactics against American assets using methods drawn from its war in Ukraine. Now, new reporting from the Wall Street Journal reveals that cooperation appears to have deepened even further, moving beyond earlier intelligence sharing into more direct guidance. According to officials familiar with the matter, including a senior European intelligence officer and a Middle Eastern diplomat, Moscow is now supplying Tefron with targeting data via satellites that gives the regime a far more precise picture of US and allied positions before and after strikes. Put simply, this is no longer just broad intelligence sharing, it's actionable battlefield information. The intelligence aiding the regime is coming from a fleet of military satellites operated by the Russian Aerospace forces. That intelligence provides the Iranian military and IRGC with detailed insight into both land based and sea based targets, everything from specific aircraft and munition sites to air defense systems and naval movements. That's the kind of information that the regime simply didn't have in previous weeks, and it can be used not only to plan strikes, but also but to evaluate their effectiveness. Those same officials state that Russia is also upgrading Iran's drone capabilities, providing modified components for shahed drones to improve navigation, communication and strike accuracy. At the same time, Moscow is also reportedly sharing their battlefield experience gained during Putin's four year invasion of Ukraine. In drawing on lessons from its Ukraine conflict, Russia is advising the Islamic Republic on how to deploy drone swarms more effectively, such as how many to launch, what altitudes to fly, and how to sequence attacks to overwhelm air defenses before follow up strikes. So you may ask, are we seeing the results of all of that? Increasingly, it looks like the answer is yes. Iranian attacks across the region have shown a higher level of coordination and precision in recent days, including strikes on American radar and missile defense infrastructure. Among the latest targets hit was an early warning radar tied to a terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, commonly known as Thaad. It's a transportable ground based US Missile defense platform located in Jordan. Officials say those operations closely resemble the tactics Russia's used in Ukraine, where waves of drones are deployed to saturate defenses before more precise strikes follow. And notably, Iran appears to be having greater success targeting U.S. and Gulf State military assets in this conflict than it did during last year's brief 12 day war, raising new questions about how much of that improvement may be tied to expanding Russian support. So you may be asking, how did this relationship between Tehran And Moscow evolve to this point? Well, of course the answer is the relationship between Russia and Iran has been building for years, but accelerated rapidly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Iran's been one of Moscow's most important military partners, supplying the Kremlin with tens of thousands of shahed drones that have been used extensively against Ukrainian cities and military sites and civilian infrastructure. Since then, Russia has begun producing those same drones domestically, refining their ability to navigate target more precisely and withstand electronic warfare. And they're now feeding those improvements back to the Iranian regime, creating a two way pipeline of military innovation. Of course, and this shall not surprise you, Moscow says none of this is happening. Kremlin mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Wall Street Journal report as, quote, fake news. Okay, Dimitri, now the White House at some point will have to deal with the reality that the Kremlin is providing Iran with the ability to more effectively target American lives and facilities in the region. It's a simple fact. The better your intelligence on your adversary's locations, movements, personnel and facilities, the more lethal your targeting becomes. Russia is an adversary to the U.S. also another fact. And they have a very close relationship with Iran on military matters, including technology and intelligence. Oh, look at that. Yet another fact. So Russian support to Iran during this conflict makes Iran more lethal. It enables them to better target and kill U. S. Personnel. The US Administration can be dismissive of all that, but it doesn't in any way change those facts. And that, my friends, is the PDB afternoon bulletin for Wednesday 18th March. If you have any questions or comments now, please reach out to [e-mail] and to listen to the show ad free. You can do that. It is 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. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take a moment to talk about personal finances and the importance of diversifying your assets. So here's the question. Do you own physical gold in today's world with its ups and downs and general instability? And I think we've got some general instability ability out there. Owning gold is something that everyone should consider. And here's a top tip. Acre Gold makes it simple. That's Acre. Acre. With Acre Gold, you pick a plan that 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. The gold is up 70% year over year and central banks are still buying gold at record levels. The reality is smart money has been moving into hard assets for a reason. Acre Gold makes it investing and owning gold easier than ever. And if I might just say, once you hold a physical asset like gold in your hand, now you understand the difference between owning something real, something physical as compared to investments that are just numbers on a screen. And right now the folks at Acre Gold are giving away two 5 gram ancient collection gold bars. You can enter for free for a chance to win the gold bars and also subscribe to [e-mail] PDB Once again, that's getacregold.com PDB Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

[Ryan Reynolds]

I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail]

[Mint Mobile Disclaimer Voice]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month Required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan taxes and fees, extra fee full [e-mail].