Market is about to open, "good" headlines begin

IRANIAN OFFICIAL: IRAN IS POSITIVELY REVIEWING PARTICIPATION IN PEACE TALKS WITH US, NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE YET

POSITIVE EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY BY PAKISTAN TO END U.S. BLOCKADE, ENSURE IRAN'S PARTICIPATION IN TALKS: RTRS

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) April 20, 2026

BREAKING: Kuwait has declared force majeure on oil shipments as Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz.

Prior to the Iran War, Kuwait was producing 2.5 million barrels of oil per day.

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 20, 2026

Danielsjackson114 said:

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Then when Trump makes concessions, your group will just call him "tAcO"

Pls shut the **** up already. You are insufferable. You don't know what is happening or what will happen.

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Same at you. Just put me on ignore and you can only read people that make you feel good. Not have to look at some reality. But, you do seem the type to enjoy a circle jerk, there are enough here to oblige you. Ignore, it is easy...

You have a terrible case of TDS. Just say you hate him, and want him to fail so you can get a "I told you so" out of it

I guess ignore was too difficult? Or, do you wish to continue being part of conversations with people that may not agree with you? Your call.

I don't trust Trump. I don't hate him, I hate the way he acts sometimes. If he stayed in his lane - "reality TV' I would be good with him. I don't even think he did bad in Term 1. But, he had a real Cabinet to keep him in line, now he doesn't. So, he stops f-ing up the Country I have no issues with him.

Do a little research. Look up Bessent and his past. Then look at what is going on now. Compare Bessent to Mnuchin from last term. Look up Mattis and compare to Hegseth. Look up Barr and compare to Bondy. You will see my problem.

Seems to me everyone here has the option of ignoring someone if they choose to.

But you don't get to tell someone they have to ignore you, or don't have the right to post in response to a post on a thread here.

Not how that works.

Well they don't have the right to say what they did. I was in response. Read the full exchange.

I may get into it with people, but I never tell people to shut up or call the names. Ok, maybe a little bit on the names...

FLBear5630 said:

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Well they don't have the right to say what they did. I was in response. Read the full exchange.

I may get into it with people, but I never tell people to shut up or call the names. Ok, maybe a little bit on the names...

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There's a lot of heat on this board these days.

And a lot of name-calling, too.

That leads to situations like the ones between you and Daniel. Jerkwads (not you but no names, maybe a couple initials) deliberately spewing posts of nothing but insults and mocking people for honest opinion, they are doing no good for anyone.

Oldbear83 said:

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FLBear5630 said:

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Well they don't have the right to say what they did. I was in response. Read the full exchange.

I may get into it with people, but I never tell people to shut up or call the names. Ok, maybe a little bit on the names...

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There's a lot of heat on this board these days.
...

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It's a time of WAR!

- el UF

D!

It's hard to tell what is negotiating bluster and what is legit...but they sound pretty dug in

NEW: Iran’s president is rejecting American peace efforts, saying the country will not “submit” to the United States.

The regime's leader pointing to what he calls “deep historical mistrust” between the U.S. and Iran:

“They are seeking Iran’s surrender. But Iranians do not… pic.twitter.com/MDk3qpZ5Dc

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2026

william said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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FLBear5630 said:

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Well they don't have the right to say what they did. I was in response. Read the full exchange.

I may get into it with people, but I never tell people to shut up or call the names. Ok, maybe a little bit on the names...

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There's a lot of heat on this board these days.
...

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It's a time of WAR!

- el UF

D!

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If only the Iranians would have accepted Arby's at the negotiation lunches ...

JUST IN: Trump invokes war powers to channel federal funding into coal, LNG, oil, and grid infrastructure.

— Polymarket (@Polymarket) April 20, 2026

pic.twitter.com/F2k2fZpZmo

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 20, 2026

Helping Israel stop terrorists from killing civilians isn’t a free ride. It’s in America’s interests to stop missile attacks.

This is why President Obama signed the 10-year MOU, including Iron Dome. Breaking that commitment would a failure of American leadership and credibility. https://t.co/2bFADxQaCe

— AIPAC 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@AIPAC) April 19, 2026

Oldbear83 said:

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william said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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FLBear5630 said:

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Well they don't have the right to say what they did. I was in response. Read the full exchange.

I may get into it with people, but I never tell people to shut up or call the names. Ok, maybe a little bit on the names...

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There's a lot of heat on this board these days.
...

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It's a time of WAR!

- el UF

D!

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If only the Iranians would have accepted Arby's at the negotiation lunches ...

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wooo!

I guess enough time has lapsed so I can read a free article from the Economist:

>>
Ali Amiri is an Iranian industrialist and investor.

Iran's insistence on controlling Hormuz is penny smart, dollar foolish

Demanding tolls or restricting traffic indefinitely would be self-defeating, argues Ali Amiri, an Iranian businessman

Apr 20th 2026

THE US-IRAN CONFLICT has revealed something that many outside observersand perhaps even some withinhad underestimated: Iran's strategic doctrine of resilience is not just rhetorical. For years, terms such as the "resistance economy", "distributed deterrence" and "self-reliance under pressure" were often dismissed, both abroad and domestically, as political language rather than strategic reality. Yet in the face of sustained confrontation with a vastly superior military and economic power, these ideas have proven coherent in practice. The Iranian state did not fragment. The war did not paralyse the economy.

This does not constitute victory in the conventional sense, nor does it negate the very real costs borne by the country and its people. But it shows Iran's ability to absorb shock and maintain agency under intense pressure. The conflict has also shown that Iran is not a geopolitical actor that can be coerced through force. Its geography alonebridging Central Asia, the Persian Gulf and major trade corridorsmakes it difficult to isolate. Its institutional depth, built over decades under sanctions, has created a system capable of adaptation.

The question now is whether the doctrines that enabled endurance are sufficient for what comes next. A temporary cessation of hostilities has opened a narrow windowthough recent developments show how quickly progress can stall or reverse, reinforcing the need for a framework that does not depend on momentum alone.

On one side, America has articulated a series of demands focused on nuclear restriction, missile constraints and regional de-escalation, tied to phased lifting of sanctions. On the other, Iran has set out its own framework: lifting of sanctions, security guarantees against further attack, and recognition of its sovereign rights, including its role in safeguarding regional waterways.

A workable framework is one that synchronises obligations. Instead of requiring Iran to act first and wait for relief, or America to concede in advance, steps are taken in parallel. For example, a freeze in uranium-enrichment levels can coincide with the immediate restoration of limited oil exports and banking channels. Verification mechanisms can be introduced alongside phased access to global financial systems.

Not all issues need to be resolved immediately. The most sensitivesuch as long-range missile parameters or the long-term structure of the nuclear programmecan be stabilised initially and negotiated in detail later. This is consistent with how complex agreements are reached elsewhere.

Another element is prioritising a return to normal economic relations. The ability for Iran to export oil at scale, reconnect to international banking systems and attract investment into sectors such as petrochemicals, transport and manufacturing would have immediate effects. These, in turn, would reinforce compliance. Economic normalisation, therefore, is not a concession; it is a stabilisation tool.

For capital to flow will, above all, require stability: confidence that trade routes will remain open, agreements will be honoured and geopolitical risk will remain contained.

Nowhere is this more visible than in the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is not simply a lever of geopolitical influenceit is one of the most critical arteries of global energy supply. The temptation to use such a position for short-term extraction, through tolls or restrictions, is understandable. But it is ultimately self-defeating. Any attempt to monetise transit in this way would accelerate efforts by others to bypass the strait, eroding its long-term strategic value.

A posture that guarantees open and secure passage, by contrast, positions Iran as a steward of stability. It builds trust not only with neighbouring states, but with global markets. It signals that Iran's strength will be exercised through reliability, not coercion.

The alternative is clear. If Iran is perceived as a powerful but unpredictable actor, its neighbours will seek protection and alignment elsewhere. If it is seen as a stable and constructive centre, those same neighbours will be drawn towards economic integration. And that integrationthrough energy co-operation, transport networks, joint industrial projects and financial linkagescould boost economic growth across the region.

This is the point at which strategy must evolve. Iran has shown that it cannot be subdued through force. The next chapter is whether it can become a destination for capital, a hub for regional trade and a platform for industrial growth. These are not separate objectives. They are the modern foundations of power. The transition from deterrence to attraction is therefore not a concession, but can be made wisely as a strategic progression. It replaces short-term leverage with enduring influence. It positions Iran not only as a resilient state, but as an engine of regional development.

As they weigh their options, Iranian negotiators might also reflect that, financially, their country is in many ways singular, in a positive sense. Iran has no external debt; the story overseas is of assets, many of them frozen, not liabilities. And it has trillions of dollars-worth of oil to back any debt it may issue in the future. This underlines the point that digging in its heels over controlling the Strait of Hormuz is penny smart, dollar foolish.
Ali Amiri is an Iranian industrialist and investor.

The babblings of a man deprived of bacon in his diet for far too long.

He helped build Iran’s global terror network — now he’s gaining more power within the regime as a ceasefire hangs in the balance.

Meet Ahmad Vahidi, a former Quds Force commander who led the group of fighters before Qassem Soleimani took over the elite unit, and a firm believer… pic.twitter.com/QAaKK6VL4v

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2026

Danielsjackson114 said:

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You have a terrible case of TDS. Just say you hate him, and want him to fail so you can get a "I told you so" out of it

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You are a mental midget. Good idea. put us on ignore. You are a waste of time and a coward and despite many attempts you won't give me a little background on you that makes you such a good business child and just all around kick ass. Move along and to class. You really need to stop showing your ass, son.

boognish_bear said:

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He helped build Iran’s global terror network — now he’s gaining more power within the regime as a ceasefire hangs in the balance.

Meet Ahmad Vahidi, a former Quds Force commander who led the group of fighters before Qassem Soleimani took over the elite unit, and a firm believer… pic.twitter.com/QAaKK6VL4v

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2026

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What's his life expectancy?

D. C. Bear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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He helped build Iran’s global terror network — now he’s gaining more power within the regime as a ceasefire hangs in the balance.

Meet Ahmad Vahidi, a former Quds Force commander who led the group of fighters before Qassem Soleimani took over the elite unit, and a firm believer… pic.twitter.com/QAaKK6VL4v

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2026

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What's his life expectancy?

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And....how many just like him are waiting their turn in line

boognish_bear said:

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D. C. Bear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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He helped build Iran’s global terror network — now he’s gaining more power within the regime as a ceasefire hangs in the balance.

Meet Ahmad Vahidi, a former Quds Force commander who led the group of fighters before Qassem Soleimani took over the elite unit, and a firm believer… pic.twitter.com/QAaKK6VL4v

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2026

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What's his life expectancy?

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And....how many just like him are waiting their turn in line

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Probably not 93 million.

ShooterTX said:

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There is a possibility that sleeper cells and other radicals who have infiltrated the West, will begin attacking.

The real question is if people will blame Trump or the Muslims for the attacks? Of course, many people will blame Trump.... as if these sleeper cells were just here to live peacefully or something.

Sleeper cell and terrorist attacks will just confirm that killing Iranian leadership was the correct action... for those with a brain.

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So if there are no sleeper cell attacks, it disproves killings Iranian leadership was a good idea?

Frank Galvin said:

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ShooterTX said:

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There is a possibility that sleeper cells and other radicals who have infiltrated the West, will begin attacking.

The real question is if people will blame Trump or the Muslims for the attacks? Of course, many people will blame Trump.... as if these sleeper cells were just here to live peacefully or something.

Sleeper cell and terrorist attacks will just confirm that killing Iranian leadership was the correct action... for those with a brain.

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So if there are no sleeper cell attacks, it disproves killings Iranian leadership was a good idea?

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Not a real corollary since there have been Iranian attempts at terror here foiled already, some in the last 5 years.

Summary from Grok:

• 2024 plot involving Asif Merchant (convicted March 2026): A Pakistani national with IRGC ties traveled to the U.S. to recruit hitmen for assassinating U.S. politicians or government officials (including during the 2024 campaign, with Donald Trump referenced as a possible target), plus document theft and protests. He admitted the IRGC sent him; the plot was foiled when an acquaintance reported him and became a confidential source. He was convicted of murder-for-hire and terrorism-related charges.
• Plots against Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad (multiple, 20212024):
  
  • 2021 kidnapping plot: IRGC-linked operatives planned to abduct her in New York and smuggle her to Iran via Venezuela.
  • Subsequent assassination attempts: Including a 20222023 murder-for-hire using Russian mobsters (Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, sentenced to 25 years in 2025) who stalked her in Brooklyn for ~$500,000 from Iran. Another 2024 plot involved recruits like Carlisle Rivera (sentenced to 15 years in 2026). She has faced repeated targeting.
• 20212022 plot against John Bolton (and Mike Pompeo): IRGC member Shahram Poursafi was charged with trying to hire U.S.-based criminals for $300,000+ to kill former National Security Advisor Bolton (in retaliation for Soleimani's death), with Pompeo as a potential additional target. A confidential source was involved; Poursafi remains at large, with a $20M reward offered.

U.S. officials (FBI, DOJ, DHS) have noted these as part of a broader pattern of Iranian transnational repression, with at least several more disrupted plots or related networks since 2020 targeting dissidents and officials. Similar threats have appeared in Europe and elsewhere.
No plots succeeded in the U.S., thanks to law enforcement.

boognish_bear said:

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pic.twitter.com/F2k2fZpZmo

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 20, 2026

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"'I'm winning'"?

Screw the Patton comparisons. Chump thinks he's Alexander the Great's bigger, badder brother.

fubar said:

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boognish_bear said:

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pic.twitter.com/F2k2fZpZmo

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 20, 2026

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"'I'm winning'"?

Screw the Patton comparisons. Chump thinks he's Alexander the Great's bigger, badder brother.

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Reminds me of one poster berating another "it's not a video game." Trump's rhetoric makes it seem it is, to him.

I'm Winning tells you all you need to know. You listing Maga. He doesn't give 2 chits about you. All about him. Oh and one little detail . We ain't winning and haven't attained and of his goals. Not 1. He's looking to cut and run.

ARM THE IRANIAN PEOPLE ...

IMHO, the people of Iran need to be armed.  Even if there are divisions among various opposition groups.  We cannot defeat the regime, which has demonstrated time and again it must be defeated, without the people within Iran having a fighting chance to…

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) April 21, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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ARM THE IRANIAN PEOPLE ...

IMHO, the people of Iran need to be armed.  Even if there are divisions among various opposition groups.  We cannot defeat the regime, which has demonstrated time and again it must be defeated, without the people within Iran having a fighting chance to…

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) April 21, 2026

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why does this clown take up space. WGAS?

There are no sleeper cell attacks because it would be counterproductive to Irans case worldwide.

They actually have World opinion on their side. The one thing that would change that is going full on terror. They are not dumb, they are fighting a different war than we are. They cannot win a war as we fight it, they are fighting to not lose. Terror attacks make them the bad guy, right now Trump and Bibi are the bad guys. Iran the victim.

BREAKING: Iran officially denies that any delegation has arrived in Pakistan for negotiations with the US, calling reports of such talks "baseless" and "fabricated."

The US delegation has arrived in Pakistan.

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 21, 2026

FLBear5630 said:

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There are no sleeper cell attacks because it would be counterproductive to Irans case worldwide.

They actually have World opinion on their side. The one thing that would change that is going full on terror. They are not dumb, they are fighting a different war than we are. They cannot win a war as we fight it, they are fighting to not lose. Terror attacks make them the bad guy, right now Trump and Bibi are the bad guys. Iran the victim.

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LOL -

{ sipping coffee }

{ eating donut }

- el UF

D!

Go Bears!!

FLBear5630 said:

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Terror attacks make them the bad guy, right now Trump and Bibi are the bad guys. Iran the victim.

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Yeah, no one with a brain speaking honestly actually believes this.

Trump: "We totally control the strait, just so you understand. For all the fake news out there." pic.twitter.com/oHEOAD25fI

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 21, 2026

NEW: Trump administration is considering financial bailout for the United Arab Emirates over economic losses sustained from US war with Iran. -WSJ

— Dominic Michael Tripi (@DMichaelTripi) April 21, 2026

J.D. Vance will depart from Joint Base Andrews later today for Islamabad to participate in talks with Iran pic.twitter.com/LRvIEOOv5T

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 21, 2026