IRAN ADOPTS A TRUMPIAN NEGOTIATING TACTIC
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY APRIL 20, 2026) — Unlike the rest of public Commonwealth, THE PLANET does not take Patriot’s Day off. Instead, we will keep bees as more than 30,000 halfwits prove their manhood, women included, in the Boston Marathon as the Red Sox lose their annual 11 a.m. start. We have more serious shish kabobs to barbecue.
Namely Iran.
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STOPY BY & MEET DAN VALENTI @ BARNES & NOBLE PITTSFIELD 2 p.m. SAT., APRIL 25 BOOK SIGNING OF DAN’S NEW BOOK, SANITY MADE SIMPLE
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Looks like the mullahs have learned a lot over the last 52 days. At least they’ve learned from the best. Taking a page from the Donald Trump, Iran pulled the rug from under the United States and Israel by suddenly reversing itself on the Straight of Hormuz. Trump, as we have seen in this war that isn’t a war, “negotiates” by being mercurial. He says one thing and does the opposite. He does one thing and claims he never did it. It keeps the other side off balance, unsure of what he’ll pull next. Well, Iran decided to try out the tactic.
On Friday, Iran announced it would open the straight, a key U.S. sticking point in determining war or talks. The price of oil dropped to below $85, Trump sounded upbeat, and the world sighed half-a-breath easier. The headlines harped happy. The war would end in a couple of days.
Then on Saturday, supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Kahmenei announced the straight closed to traffic under control of Iran’s military. “We stand ready to inflict bitter defeats on [our] enemies.” Traffic stopped and Iranian gunboats fired upon a couple of ships that tried to move.
———- ooo ———-
An emboldened Iran also balked at U.S. demands that it turn over its enriched uranium.
Seen from the Iranian point of view, something any analysis must do to understand motivations of the other side, why should it give away this precious commodity. If anything, the ill-conceived joint Israeli-U.S. offensive has made Iran more determined than ever to acquire nuclear weapons. The logic is simple. America doesn’t attack any country with nukes.
“I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to United States,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told AP on Saturday. “This is non-starter and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we’re not going to accept things that are nonstarters.”
What a difference from the day before, when Trump said the U.S. will go into Iran and “get all the nuclear dust,” referring to the 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites damaged by U.S. military strikes last year.
As for the resumed negotiations that Trump touted Friday, the U.S. debate team is heading back to Islamabad. Looming is Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST (early Wednesday in Tehran), when the umpteenth “final deadline” for the two-week ceasefire expires. THE PLANET wonders. Does Trump again extend the ceasefire?
———- ooo ———-
Khatibzadeh called U.S. demands excessive.
From AP:
“We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” Khatibzadeh said. Iran was seeking the finalization of a “framework agreement” before moving to an in-person meeting, he added.
The Iranian official would not go into specifics of the negotiations with the United States or say which issues remain unresolved but called on Washington to address Iran’s concerns, including sanctions imposed on Iran.
“The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them to revolt against the political structure inside Iran,” Khatibzadeh said.
There’s no way to predict the outcome here. There’s not even a way to predict the developments of tomorrow. The situation could be resolved overnight and the tempest will have retreated into the teapot. On the other hand, Israel could launch a nuke on Tehran and usher in the End Days. Who knows?
No one. That’s who … not even THE PLANET.
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“If you’re going to strikeout, at least go down swinging” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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The aftermath of war is sometimes even WORSE than the war itself. Even if Iran agrees to a peace treaty, it will take a long time for things to normalize in the Middle East region. Iran is isolated there, meaning that they have no regional allies.
On a separate subject, over the next two months, Pittsfield politics is going through crises of leadership. Mayor Peter Marchetti’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal may spend up to one-quarter of one-billion-dollars beginning on July 01st, 2026. That means that Pittsfield politics will spend a record-breaking amount of taxpayer dollars beginning in less that 2.5-months time.
It is a series of crises because Pittsfield doesn’t have the money to cover its new annual budget. The City’s Commercial Tax Rate in the 2nd highest of any municipality in Massachusetts; Holyoke is 1st. It will mean that the City’s Residential Tax Rate will increase to record high levels, which will be borne primarily by the middle-class and up homeowners in Ward 4. The city’s fees will be close to double-digits, too.
Peter Marchetti said that he has decades of financial management experience and budgeting skills. Now is the time for him to prove it to the taxpayers. But unlike many other cities in Massachusetts, nobody knows anything about the Mayor’s would-be new budget proposal because he has yet to put one forward. What is he waiting for?
Good work, Jon
With what airforce and with what navy is the ORGC taking a Trumpian strategy? They promised $200 / barrel oil
Maybe for Irani, not on the world market however.
Don’t you find it interesting the interesting the eagerness the UK displays for policing the Strait the moment it becomes evident the ORGC is losing its capacity to do so? History speaks to this. The mercantile experience of the american colonies : divide and aggravate. Napoleon observed that the British were a crafty lot.
Declaring the Straight open on Friday then closed on Saturday, without pre-notice, is classic Trumpian upending.
I believe it was the Iranians change of guard that changed the Strait. In other words, we know where the center is there. That’s good information, and this will further fragment the rump government (a gov that has lost its mass and consists of ineffectual members).
As I predicted, this is inconsistent fortunately, but not a unforeseen event. Trump offered a cease fire to see what could be done in peace.
Cease fires are by definition temporary.
Correction: It is inconsistent behavior displayed by a incoherent government and that is unfortunate.
What is predictable Dan, is that the American economy will be a fully engaged dumpster fire before Christmas. (can I say Christmas?) And if you are buying into the shitsoup the Whitehouse and its talking heads are spewing you will worse off sooner than those who are getting real life information.
But unless you are billionaire, there is not really much you can do except to stave off disaster for a shot while longer.
Read some of this highly engaged economists take on reality.
https://www.youtube.com/@lenapetrova
also
Just Broke: FAILING US Debt Auction Sends a HUGE Warning to the World — What It Means
Mr Meanwhile gets it right.
Defeatist Dan’s TDS induced psychosis, leaves him ignorant to reality. .
Iran doesn’t control the Straight, America does.
Trumps magnanimity in allowing humanitarian aid and supplies, all the while gaining intelligence, choking off funding, war supplies and starving China of needed oil.
Encouraging the long tortured citizens of both countries to revolt,
Trump can and will press his bet, Iran and China, hold now poorer hands.
That Trump, executed this so perfectly, cannot be by chance- America is just that God damned good.
Even with the Demonrats, treasonous acts.
Dan what happens?
When Kurds are released, killing IRGC and supporters to extinction. Iran is now a powerless, unsympathetic & broken regime.
The Fanatics are now in the last throes of a dying regime.
Dans delusion denial of the fanatics fate of death by stoning, proves he slept through 2011 when Gaddafi‘s head was kicked around Libia, after 42 years of his tyranny.
How’d Mussolini fair?
Seeing the pattern yet?
“Those who fail to learn the lessons of history, are Doomed to repeat it “
Watching the self destruction of Evil, on our 250th birthday is wonderful.
With Vance’s taking lead in fraud prosecutions, SCOTUS becoming more originalist, and red wave in midterms, Trump is truly going to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
Good guys win this round, like they always do!
4/20/26@8:45am
Tom
TOM
I hope you are correct with your closing sentence. Thanks for the feedback.
Tom – that old saw – “those who fail to learn the lessons of history” is bested by “There is nothing new under the sun.”
The problem I see is that there are a good number of people who want to repeat history.
The problem is that good number of people reelected trump thereby repeating history in a quite negative manner. And high level defense dept folk has to restrain trump from using nuclear weapons over the weekend. Scary stuff right there Charlie.
I actually did fear the nuclear missiles during the ’80s. But we knew then that the real risk was when terrorists gain the technology.
Are you saying that if trump used nukes it would not be a real risk? Please explain.
I’m saying the ultimate risk of the nuclear arms race was when the bombs got into the hands of regimes that engage in terror, we could realistically fear their being used not as last resort but for PR.
Our fear of nuclear war with the Soviet Union was based on fear of errors; detente was assumed. Terrorists seek maximum damage, and they purchase fear by committing atrocities.
I did not not preface my point with “if.” Your response fails there.
Tom, you are not only incorrect, you also put your trust where it doesn’t belong. While you believe and trust Trump, he is taking your money and your wealth-generating enterprises, lassoing your wealth to generate cash for himself, his family and his billionaires.
Maybe you shouldn’t publish a book with all your tricks. General Patton famously read Erwin Rommel’s book about his infantry victories in WWI.
If general Sherman had had drones the civil war might have turned out differently. i.e. it would have been a lot louder and more annoying to people trying to get a good night’s sleep.
Patriot’s Day is just one more day off for the Massachusetts elites who think they are special. So ridiculous.
The Democrats have only recently starting caring about the economy having ignored inflation during the Biden years and calling people “crazy” who said there was a problem. Now, even after Americans have just received huge tax refunds thanks to President Trump, the Democrats are insisting that the economy is on life support.
President Trump should continue with the economic pressure on Iran and that will eventually bring them to the table to make a deal. It will be more effective than bombing.
I agree. Patriot’s Day should still be observed, since what it commemorates is memorable, but it should not be a free day off for public employees courtesy of taxpayers.
“At least they’ve learned from the best. Taking a page from the Donald Trump…”
Donald Trump is far, far from the best. He has set our civilization and culture back a couple hundred years.
TRUTH
A couple hundred years? Then I must be a Fortunate Son, since I have electricity, a car, and a smart phone.
Ed to Carnac..Fortunate Son…(laughter) Carnac to Ed. Fortunate Son. Ed again Fortunate Son….Carnac..rolls eyes..Fortunate Son ….It is Fortunate, to have a Son.
They really got the hyperbole down. Gas is at Biden levels, but plentiful, no rationing, no odd days, eggs are pre Biden prices at Aldis 1.67/dozen, and no one is savaging scraps of metal, etc…
They have no clue what a hard war looks like with drafts, retooling all industry for munitions, and restriction of consumer goods for the military.
No. Gas is at Trump levels,and he likes wavering ups and downs for wall st. Buffoon.
Eric cashed in 27 million on that new wagering site. He must be getting 70ties HILARY information. The Trump clan is reliving history. And it’s legal.
The trump clan has learned, too late some say, that today’s warfare is not complete without drones. High tech, million-dollar drones. Lots and lots of drones. And so what to do, what to do? How about if trumps sons develop a massive drone building project/business? Increase military budget to 1 1/2 trillion bucks. Hell yah man! And since it is going to take a while, this war needs to go on for a bit longer. Say maybe years and years so the kids can get up and running and make billions more dollars.
Drones of all types are the hottest new military weapon on the market and all countries want them.
Business plan: Make a shit ton of expensive high-tech drones. Use military industrial complex connections to garner huge contracts.
Continue and exacerbate the war in Iran and work to fester it into neighboring countries.
Start new wars where possible inciting violence between neighboring countries to get them to go at each other.
Donald Trump Sons Don Jr. and Eric Trump’s Sons Launch Jaw-Dropping Bid to Cash in on Dad’s War in Iran
Love how everyone plays Carnac the magnificent
April 20, 2026
Please listen to It’s Pittsfield tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36YF4sPTT3c
Pittsfield’s operating budget is funded by around one-half by state administered, federal funding = State Aid.
Pittsfield’s commercial, residential tax rates, fees, and other revenues make up the other around one-half of Pittsfield’s operating budget.
What is the BIG problem here for Pittsfield, Massachusetts’ new operating budget that begins in less the 2.5-months on July 01, 2026?
Answer: (Other than the fact that Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti has yet to release it, unlike many other cities in Massachusetts); Both one-halves of Pittsfield’s budget are going down in revenues, while Pittsfield’s budget costs are going up.
Moreover, the Massachusetts state government in Boston is facing an over $1 billion budget deficit.
There is NO MONEY for Earl and the 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics to spend to excess anymore.
The days of Earl and the 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics pounding, pummeling, pulverizing, punishing people’s purses are mercifully coming to to an end soon.
This fiscal crisis creates targets. Since Pittsfield taxes its commercial tax-rate-payers to the maximum (the 2nd highest commercial tax rate in Massachusetts; Holyoke is 1st), Earl and the 2-Pete’s will look at raising residential tax rates to the maximum, as well as near double-digit increases in fees and other revenues.
Pittsfield spends tens of millions of dollars more per fiscal year budgets than its peer similarly sized small cities. To illustrate, Westfield spends over $62 million per the current fiscal year 2026 than Pittsfield. They are two peer similarly sized small cities in Western Massachusetts.
The other target for Earl and the 2-Pete’s is borrowing, but Pittsfield’s existing debts are excessive and it would-be difficult for the city government to borrow more money.
What else could Earl and the 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics do in this moment of fiscal crises?
Answer: They could cut the city government’s operating budget by tens of millions of dollars per fiscal year to bring Pittsfield in line with all of its other peer small cities budgets.
It is only a game instead of being about the people and taxpayers to Pittsfield City Hall. They have created great fiscal imbalances so that they can cry insolvency to the do-nothing State Representatives Leigh Davis, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and John Barrett III, as well as the rubber stamp State Senator Paul Mark, as well as PAC Man Richie Neal on up.
Is has become GAME OVER because Pittsfield is NOT going to WIN more money from any of them to cover the city government’s new operating budget from July 01, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Jon Melle
Thank Jon Hope you and the family are doing well in the Live Free or Die State …
ED HANDS ENVELOPE TO JOHNNY
CARNAC: Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and Gerald Ford. (TEARS OPEN ENVELOPE AND READS) Name two hockey players and a hockey puck. (AUDIENCE GROANS; CARNAC IN MOCK HURT) May an unclean yak back into your linen closet. (AUDIENCE ROARS).
Our mutual friend the late Dave “ Bubba” Bubriski turned me on to Jerry Williams and Johnny Carson late night TV and talk radio, miss the trio for sure …
No surprise to anyone following. The mullahs are mincemeat. It us the IRGC and the assortment of political figures governing independently and incoherently. The pols wanted a treaty, the terrorists want to fight. Trump wants two things: freedom of international waters unencumbered by European and Iranian constraints and the uranium. So, if the Iranians want to fight, the cease fire ends and the IRGC can try without water, road infra, and power.
As for Americans, if you stand for Iran then you have traded in your dignity for rubbish. It is amazing that the Democrat Party today has not just one more than the decrepit Bernie Sanders, who is currently peddling a neo nazi from Maine who even tattooed an SS image on himself, but almost a consensus in support of the imperialist terrorist regime.
Leave Bernie alone. You haven’t lived long enough in Vermont to diss this American icon. Trump is plating and winning 10$ of millions or 100s betting on when the straightvwill open. Somme one won 70 million on the latest action..look it up. There was actually 997 million bet in one day. Before you bots on here thumbs down look it up. All over the news including fox. The administration is cashing in big time as they know the results before it happens.
And do you not diss senators and congressmen from beyond the Commonwealth? Thought so.
I’ve been dissing that old corrupt man for at least 20 years. He is not an American Icon. His backing of the neo-nazi from Maine, who calls himself a communist in private circles, continues to utter racist insults, crude insults popular from the 80’s, homophobic slurs, and anti-semitic tropesfrom Maine shows his true colors. He is what some call a demagogue, a fraud, and a thief.
What has he done for anyone in the NOrtheast, let alone Vermont?
Sir. First of all I don’t need to comment on this site. I’m an old man with many millions and live comfortably without any of the political nonsense locally or nationally. I tried to be proactive for my community and have never lied about anything when at the city council meetings or life in general.
Buffoon comments. Are you related to the gentle buffoon fron n h
Bernie Sanders is a communist and a fraud. Wake up!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/04/far-left-anti-billionaire-group-linked-bernie-sanders/
I’m betting Iran will cause a happening that will net trump cronies billions. Watch the movie Sand Pebbles. Trump loves to copy. That’s why he loves Vince and his wife Linda. He actually thinks they were as good as P T Barnum.
To those who traverse speedway west.from Riverview west all the way to b c c. If and when, and it will happen, you are involved in an accident in front of St. Marks Church with that silly bump out. Sue The City. It’s dangerous at best,very narrow and does no give you a clear path going east. Let alone the intersection near that Church.
Old saying: An enemy half defeated is not defeated at all, just delayed.
Yeah like Russia and U S vs Aftghanistan.
Af…”
Todays politics just don’t work. We’re broke.
Rump cashing in on knowledge and Vince McMahon fakery. Every delay in extending the war is making he and his buddies 100s of millions daily. The President is now the king of hedge funds,a predictor in the oil markets which is totally legal, which can’t be proven and like I said each day that goes for many millions for his administration staff and billionaire friends. Now they’re saying his assaination attemp was not that at all. He scratched his ear with his hand. The bulletin shot by the alleged sniper couldn’t have made a scrape wound. Impossible.
Dan. I never thought I’d say this. But I actually believe Dina is doing a better job as our Ward SIx City Councilor. If she could go a little more independent she could go places.
With that being said,the West Street configuration is a mess as is Linden at Onota. Maybe she’ll see this and respond. Or already has.
Really You don’t like Dina?…..?