PDB Afternoon Bulletin | March 23rd, 2026: Trump Calls Off Strikes—Is Iran’s Regime Breaking Apart? & Terror Attack in the UK

Summary

---

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | March 23rd, 2026

Trump Calls Off Strikes—Is Iran’s Regime Breaking Apart? & Terror Attack in the UK

Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Date: March 23, 2026
Podcast: The President’s Daily Brief (The First TV)

---

Episode Overview

This episode analyzes two urgent international developments:

1. President Trump’s sudden decision to call off threatened strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure and the murky diplomatic activity behind it.
2. A recent anti-Semitic arson attack in North London targeting a Jewish ambulance service, with an Iranian-linked group claiming responsibility and potential links to broader terror networks.

Mike Baker unpacks recent intelligence, the shifting narrative around Iran’s internal power structure, and the escalating threat environment for Western Jewish communities.

---

Segment 1: Trump Temporarily Calls Off Strikes on Iran

[00:42–06:45]

Key Developments

• Early on March 23, President Trump publicly suspended a planned U.S. military strike on Iran’s power grid, which was threatened just hours prior if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
• Trump claimed “very good and productive conversations with high level officials inside the Iranian regime” led to the pause; the strike could still occur after a five-day window if talks fail.
• The announcement caused a surge in global stock markets and lowered energy prices, signaling possible de-escalation.

Diplomatic Backchannel – Who Is Talking to Whom?

• Official U.S. sources and some outlets suggest Trump’s team has been communicating most directly with Mohammed Bakr Khalifba (Iran’s Parliament speaker), a hardliner who has recently threatened mass retaliation.
  • Quote (Mike Baker):
    “Khalifba is part of Iran’s political leadership, which has looked increasingly sidelined since this war kicked off…which tells you something about where the real authority may lie right now.” [02:23]
• Axios reports suggest indirect contacts are being mediated by Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is said to be exchanging messages with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi through these intermediaries.

Denial From Iran, Uncertain Reality

• Iranian media, especially state/IRGC outlets like Fars News, vehemently deny any direct or indirect talks:
  • “One Iranian source told the outlet that there has been no diplomatic contact with President Trump or the U.S…It’s the same thing that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said just a few days ago.” [03:57]
• Baker notes possible chaos inside Iran: Power may be fragmented among competing centers—politicians, foreign ministry, IRGC—so contact may exist in some factions but not others.

Complex Internal Iranian Dynamics

• Iran’s leadership has been “decimated” amid months of war, making coordination difficult.
• Baker postulates a “foggy environment” where different power centers may act and communicate independently, denying talks for public image:
  • Quote: “It’s possible that the Iranian system is no longer a single unified decision-making body…publicly, of course, Tehran has every incentive to deny that talks are happening at all—admitting that would be seen as a sign of weakness.” [04:40]

Market Impact and U.S. Strategic Signaling

• U.S. markets rallied (S&P 500, Dow +2.5%; FTSE 100 up) and energy prices dropped, suggesting traders expect decreased risk to world oil supplies.
• Baker speculates this de-escalation, or perception thereof, could be the administration’s goal—reassuring markets and influencing Iran’s calculus.

---

Segment 2: Terror Attack on Jewish Ambulances in London

[09:54–13:51]

The Attack

• In the Golders Green area, a stronghold for London’s Jewish community, arsonists targeted four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a volunteer Jewish emergency service.
  • CCTV footage captured three hooded suspects pouring accelerant and igniting the vehicles.
  • The fire triggered explosions from oxygen tanks, damaging homes and causing evacuations—no injuries reported.

Investigation and Political Response

• Authorities are treating it as a hate crime; counterterrorism police are leading the probe, indicating suspected extremist links.
• A newly-emerged group claiming responsibility: Harakat Ashab Yamin Al Islamiya (“The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right”).
  • Their messaging circulated on Telegram channels tied to Iranian proxy groups, notably Hezbollah and IRGC-linked networks.

Motive and Broader Threat Context

• The group’s justification: Citing the synagogue’s connection to Israel. Their statements use multilinguistic propaganda (Hebrew, English, Arabic), aligning with anti-Semitic themes in Iran’s information sphere.

• Quote (Mike Baker):
  “That framing aligns with broader anti-Semitic narratives seen across Iran-aligned networks.” [11:45]

• This group is believed responsible for four similar attacks on Jewish sites in Europe in recent weeks, including a Rotterdam synagogue bombing (four teens were recently arrested in connection).

Official Statements

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Called the incident a “deeply shocking anti-Semitic arson attack.” [11:16]
• Chief Rabbi: Labeled it a “sickening assault not only on the Jewish community but on shared societal values.” [11:23]

Status of Investigation

• No arrests yet for the London arson; British police remain cautious about formally verifying the group’s claim, but the signature and method fit patterns of IRGC-proxy operations.

---

Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

• On Iran’s fracturing leadership:
  “At this point, it’s possible that the Iranian system is no longer a single unified decision-making body. It may be more of a collection of competing power centers…all with their own priorities, their own messaging, and in some cases, their own agendas.” (Mike Baker, [04:12])

• On the implications for diplomacy:
  “There’s no clear way to verify exactly who is talking to whom—or how serious these discussions really are.” (Mike Baker, [05:04])

• On the symbolic significance of the UK arson:
  “British leaders have been quick to respond as Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a ‘deeply shocking anti-Semitic arson attack.’…the UK’s chief rabbi described it as a ‘sickening assault not only on the Jewish community but on shared societal values.’” (Quoted, [11:16–11:23])

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:42 – Episode starts: recap of Trump’s threat, the sudden diplomatic ‘pause,’ and questions about what’s happening behind the scenes.
• 02:23 – Introduction of Khalifba (Parliament speaker) as the key Iranian contact.
• 03:57 – Iranian denials of any contacts.
• 05:04 – Baker’s analysis of the competing centers of Iranian authority.
• 06:00 – Market reactions to the U.S. announcement.
• 09:54 – Introduction of anti-Semitic arson attack in London.
• 11:16–11:23 – Political and communal leaders’ official reactions.
• 12:23 – Explanation of the Iranian-linked proxy group and its pattern in Europe.
• 13:51 – End of content section.

---

Summary

This episode underscores the fluidity and danger of the current global landscape. U.S.-Iran relations are now clouded by opaque diplomacy and possible regime fragmentation, even as American leadership attempts to both threaten and reassure. Meanwhile, the emergence of an Iranian-linked proxy group with a campaign targeting Jewish communities in Europe—culminating in the dramatic North London ambulance arson—demonstrates the cross-continental reach of anti-Semitic terrorism aligned with Iran’s destabilizing policies.

Host Mike Baker’s closing advice:
“Stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.” [13:52]

---

Transcript

[A]

The Global Gaming League is presented by Atlas Earth, the fun cashback app. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my How We do it gaming team take on Gilly the king and wallow. $267 million gaming in an epic Global Gaming League video game showdown. Plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com in partnership with Level Up Expo.

[B]

It's Monday, the 23rd 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, just hours after threatening devastating strikes on Iran's power infrastructure, President Trump pulls back, announcing a temporary pause following reported talks with Iran. But with Tehran denying any negotiations are happening, what's really going on behind the scenes? Later in the show, counterterror police in London investigate an arson attack targeting a Jewish charity's ambulances as an Iranian linked group claims responsibility. But first, today's afternoon spotlight. We wanted to give you an update on a story that we brought you this morning. President Trump's 48 hour threat over the Strait of Hormuz. As you may have realized by now, a lot can change in just a few hours. The president announced earlier today that he's now postponing any planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, including power plants, after what he described as, quote, very good and productive conversations with high level officials inside the Iranian regime. In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said he's instructed the Department of War to hold off on any military action for a period of five days. That pause, he said, is based on the tenor and tone of those referenced discussions, and it's conditional if talks break down. He noted that the strikes are still very much on the table. For those of you keeping score at home, this is a pretty significant shift. Just hours ago, we were talking about a potential US Campaign targeting Iran's power infrastructure if Tehran didn't move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And now suddenly we're hearing about diplomacy, back channel talks, discussions that according to Trump, are productive. But that raises the obvious questions. Are there discussions actually happening? And if so, who exactly is the US Talking to? President Trump wouldn't say. But new reporting from the Jerusalem Post says that the Trump administration has been engaging with Mohammed Bakr Khalifba. Now, Mohammed Bakar Khalifba is Iran's Parliament speaker, who notably was one of the officials threatening mass retaliation against energy infrastructure across the region just days ago. He's now being described, at least by the Jerusalem Post, as the top person the US is communicating with. Now that's notable because Khalifba is part of Iran's political leadership, which has looked increasingly sidelined since this war kicked off. President Massoud Possesskian, for example, has virtually been a non factor since the bomb started falling with which tells you something about where the real authority may lie right now. At the same time, Axios is reporting that a broader set of indirect talks is also underway, mediated by several regional players, the usual suspects, including Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan. According to a US source, those countries have been passing messages between Washington and Tehran over the past two days. We're told that White House envoy Steve Witkoff has been in contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragji through these intermediaries, with discussions focused on ending the conflict and resolving outstanding issues, of which there are a few. Egypt's foreign minister reportedly held a series of calls over the weekend with both sides, along with counterparts from Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar. So on the surface, some reporting indicates that something may be happening here involving someone. But not so fast, because Iran is telling a very different story. Several Iranian outlets, including the IRGC affiliated Fars News, are flatly denied that any talks are taking place directly or indirectly. One Iranian source told the outlet that there has been no diplomatic contact with President Trump or the us it's the same thing that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said just a few days ago when other reporting implied that there were talks happening between Iraqi and envoy Witkoff. However, in this chaotic and foggy environment, particularly where Iran's leadership has been decimated and leadership does appear to be in flux, there is the chance that Iran's right hand doesn't know what its left hand is doing. Meaning at this point it's possible that the Iranian system is no longer a single unified decision making body. It may be more of a collection the competing power centers, political leaders, the Foreign Ministry, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the irgc, all with their own priorities, their own messaging, and in some cases their own agendas. So it's entirely possible that US officials are speaking with certain high ranking figures inside the Iranian government, while other factions either aren't involved, don't agree with the outreach, or are actively trying to undermine it. And publicly, of course, Tehran has every incentive to deny that talks are happening at all, admitting that they're engaging with Washington under pressure Especially after issuing threats would be seen as a sign of weakness. So instead you project strength and you say there are no talks. Of course, at this point, there's no clear way to verify exactly who is talking to whom, if anyone is talking, or how serious these discussions really are. But what we do know is how the markets are reacting. Investors clearly see this as a potential de escalation moment. Following the President's announcement, stocks surged. US futures tied to the S&P 500 and the Dow jumped around 2.5% while London's FTSE 100 also moved higher. At the same time, energy prices dropped as traders began to bet that Iran may ease its pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and that the risk of a broader disruption to global oil supply could be coming down. Which of course could be the primary goal of President Trump's declaration that there are productive talks underway and that he's backing off the 48 hour window ultimatum. Okay, coming up next, an arson attack hits a Jewish charity's ambulances in London with an Iranian linked group claiming responsibility. I'll be right back.

[C]

Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me ask you a question about your personal finances. Have you looked at your credit card statements lately? How's that for a question?

[B]

Look, here's the thing.

[C]

You work hard, 50, 60 hours, maybe

[B]

70 hours a week just to buy

[C]

groceries and gas and things that you used to be able to afford. And all the while, credit card companies, well, you know what they're doing, they're charging you over 20% interest rates. But there is a business out there working to help homeowners beat those high interest rates. And of course, I'm talking about American Financing. American Financing is all about helping homeowners get out from under high interest debt. They're showing homeowners how to use their equity to wipe out that debt. And the average savings for their customers is $800 a month. Talk to a salary based American Financing mortgage consultant. There are no upfront fees, no obligation. Just to find out how much you can sa. And if you start today, you could delay two mortgage payments.

[B]

Give American Financing a call.

[C]

They are America's home for home loans. Their number is 866-885-1881. Again, that's 866-885-1881 or just visit american financing.net PDB Mike Baker here. Now, here's the hard truth, and I'm sorry to deliver this, but we're all getting older, right? And now, frankly, getting older can hit dudes really hard. I mean, with me, once I got into my 40s. It seemed like I was hitting a wall. Same workout, same diet, but everything just got more difficult.

[B]

You know what I'm talking about, right? Recovery slowed.

[C]

Energy dipped. Very frustrating. But the reality is most men lose about 1% of testosterone yearly after age 30. That's just how life works. Mars Men, though, helps free that usable testosterone with eight natural, clinically dosed ingredients. No synthetics, no needles. And here's the thing. Since starting up with Mars Men, my strength, my recovery times and steady daily energy have all improved. For a limited time, our listeners get 50 off for life plus free shipping. How about that? And three free gifts@ MengotoMars.com that's MengotoMars.com for 50 off and three free gifts. When you check out and after your purchase, they'll ask what you heard about them. Do me a favor, tell them the

[D]

PDB center, it's not just something you made. It's the privilege that you get to work with your hands. It's building something that serves a purpose. Proof that you have the grit to keep going. At Timberland, we understand you take your craft seriously, and we do too. Which is why our products are built to the highest quality. We put in the work so you can perfect yours with purpose, in every detail, and crafted with intention. Timberland Built on Craft Visit timberland.com to

[E]

shop starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing, to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com

[B]

Special offer Welcome back to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. What police are describing as an anti Semitic arson attack in North London is now drawing counterterrorism scrutiny as a newly emerging Iranian linked group claims responsibility. The incident unfolded in Golders Green, an area with one of the largest Jewish communities in the United Kingdom, where in the early hours of the morning, emergency crews responded to reports of vehicles on fire near the Maksiki Havas synagogue. Now the vehicles belong to Hatzola, which is a volunteer run Jewish emergency service that provides free medical response across North London and it appears that four of their ambulances were deliberately set on fire. This claim came from investigators citing CCTV footage that shows three hooded suspects pouring some type of accelerant onto the vehicles before lighting them and fleeing the scene. Yeah, well, look, I'm no Inspector Crusoe, but I believe that seems like a clue. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said police are actively searching for those three individuals. The blaze extended beyond the vehicles. As the fire spread, oxygen canisters inside the ambulances began exploding, damaging nearby homes and forcing dozens of residents to evacuate. No injuries were reported, though the exploding canisters initially raised concerns about possible explosive devices on the scene. British authorities classified the incident as an anti Semitic hate crime. Well, it seems about right. And while it has not been formally designated as a terrorist attack, counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the suspected motive and the potential for broader connections. Scotland Yard said it is aware that a group has claimed responsibility online, but emphasized that the claim has not yet been verified. British leaders have been quick to respond as Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a quote, deeply shocking anti Semitic arson attack. The UK's chief rabbi described it as a, quote, sickening assault not only on the Jewish community but on shared societal values. End quote. But attention is now turning to who may be behind the attack. Police say of course there was a claim of responsibility circulating online, though again, it remains unverified. It's linked to a group calling itself the Harakat Ashab Yamin Al Islamiya. Details are limited, but what we do know is that the group appears to be new, allegedly emerging sometime this month. Its name translates to quote, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right. And its messaging has been distributed through telegram channels associated with Tehran backed militias, including networks tied to Hezbollah and other terror groups aligned with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In its claim to the vehicle blaze this morning, the group released a video featuring text in Hebrew, English and Arabic alleging that the synagogue is a significant center of Orthodox Judaism with deep ties to Israel, using that connection to justify their attack. That framing aligns with broader anti Semitic narratives seen across Iran aligned networks. Israel's Ministry of Foreign affairs has described the group as a jihadi organization tied to an Iranian proxy. But I want to point out again that the connection has not been independently confirmed. Still, the group structure, messaging and distribution channels closely resemble those of established Iran linked proxies. Now, it's not the first time that the group has claimed responsibility for an attack. They claimed responsibility for multiple attacks targeting Jewish sites across Europe, now four in total. Just last week, four teenagers linked to the group were arrested following an explosion outside a synagogue in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with several attackers later detained near another synagogue in the city. So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the London attack. And that, my friends, is the PDB afternoon bulletin for Monday 23rd March. 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. Well, you can do that.

[C]

It's very simple.

[B]

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.

[C]

Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take a moment of your time to talk about security, specifically your online security, and to tell you about a great company out there working hard to keep people safer online. And that company would be Delete Me. Look, Deleteme makes it easy, quick and safe to remove your personal data online at a time when surveillance and data breaches are common enough to make everyone vulnerable. Look, it's easier than ever to find personal information about people online.

[B]

But having your address, your phone number,

[C]

your family members information, just hanging out

[B]

on the Internet, that can have actual consequences in the real world and can

[C]

make you vulnerable to all sorts of scams. If you're like me, privacy and protecting your online presence is important. We all want to stay protected from identity theft or harassment or doxing. And you can do that with the help of Deleteme. Take control of your data and keep your private life private. By signing up for Deleteme now at a special discount for PDB listeners, you can get 20% off your Delete Me plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com PDB and use the promo code PDB at checkout again to get 20% off, just go to JoinDeleteMe.com PDB and enter code PDB at checkout one more time. That's JoinDeleteMe.com PDB code PDB.