U.S.-IRAN TALKS FAIL BUT DID PRODUCE MOMENTUM … AMERICA LEAVES WITH OFFER ON THE TABLE
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE MONDAY APRIL 13, 2026) — No breakdowns but no breakthroughs.
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That’s the best way THE PLANET to summarize this weekend’s negotiations between the United States and Iran. The two sides needed Pakistan officials to put on their runnings shoes for a mini-marathon shuttle diplomacy that involved 21 hours of talks over five sessions. Diplomats from China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar assisted in facilitating the talks.
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This was a “glass half empty/glass half full” exercise.
The “emptyers” say the talks failed on two counts: (1) Iran did not budge on the U.S. demand that it forego all nuclear activity, from enrichment to building bombs and (2) Iran would not release its stranglehold on the closed Straight of Hormuz.
In addition, it wants America to unfreeze assets and pay reparations for the damage caused by six weeks of unrelenting barrage. These were and still are Iran’s “red lines” to ending the war.
The “fullers” say that the talks produced at least some momentum. In remarks at the end of the five-round marathon sessions, U.S. chief negotiator, VP J. D. Vance, told the media that the delegation left with an offer on the table — “our final and best offer.”
In other words, Iran did not immediately reject the offer, whose terms were not officially disclosed. An understanding is on the table, and Vance said it’s up to the Iranians to accept or reject. That’s further along than the two countries were prior to the talks.
———- ooo ———-
Left unsaid is the fate of the two-week ceasefire, set to expire at 8 p.m. April 21. What happens in the meantime, but more importantly, what happens if the warring nations can’t reach agreement?
Your guess is as good as THE PLANET‘s.
For his part, President Trump reacted with a couple of bellicose tweets on Truth Social.
In his rants, he ordered the U.S. Navy to block the Straight of Hormuz. That’s the best yet — He wants to “open” the Straight by shutting it down, preventing entrance or exit. How specifically that’s carried out remains to be seen.
He also said that the U.S. is “locked and loaded” and ready to attack at a time when and if it chooses. All of that comes after Trump earlier said “Whether or not we make a deal makes no difference to me.” Obviously, that he needs to say that strongly suggests the failure to reach a deal ticked him off mightily.
Is his talk about finishing off “what’s left of” Iran more bluff and bluster from the president? In any event, Trump’s wet blanket risks more global oil shock and a widening of the war. With an offer still on the table, Trump’s Straight ploy is obvious: Intensify the pressure on Iran to accept Trump’s terms.
Meanwhile, Israel continued to commit war crimes in its attack on southern Lebanon and Iran has launched missile strikes against U.S. assets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman.
And the glass?
Half empty.
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“At least the Straight of Hormuz has not become the Queer of Hormuz” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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April 12, 2026
Hello blogger Dan Valenti,
As I already emailed, wrote and posted earlier today (Sunday, April 12th, 2026), we are now in ESCALATION Week in Trump’s War against Iran’s EVIL regime.
A barrel of oil is around $103. By the end of the week, it is estimated to be around $120 – $125.
Trump will block the Straight of Hormuz. Iran’s EVIL regime will strike U.S.A.’s military assets in retaliation. Trump will retaliate by striking Iran.
We will pay more money for energy, inflation will continue to rise, military strikes will intensify, many more people in the Middle East will be killed this week of mid-April 2026.
We all knew that Lazy Boy Lover V.P. J.D. Vance’s negotiations would fail. If Iran’s EVIL regime surrendered, they would be killed themselves. It was all a foregone conclusion.
On a separate note, I don’t understand why I, Jon Melle, am being called a BUFFOON, while also being criticized by posters about Luciforo, but my reply posts are usually edited out.
Blogger Dan Valenti writes and posts that he invites Pittsfield’s career politicians to respond to his inquiries, but when the phone doesn’t ring, he is not surprised by them.
Well, I reply, but most of the time, my writings and posts replying about Luciforo are edited out. My view is that Pittsfield politics is fringe, and it is similar to episodes of The Twilight Zone.
Jon Melle
Southern Lebanon is where Hezbollah is waging war on Israel. That’s the center of gravity from Israel’s perspective. Lebanon continues to avoid its agreement to disarm Hezbollah, and they continue to launch missiles. Northern Israel, as result, is largely displaced.
US Mexico border is guarded, and it is hot with cartels, but even the cartels do not dare us by firing shots over it. If they did, we’d settle for a 10 mile buffer zone no man’s land on their side too.
Defeatist Dan
Fails to understand international law-
Irans glass is half empty, and being drained at 500,000,000 a day.
China will be dark, and defenseless in a week, with the specter of B2 death at any minute, and 50% tariffs.
The pending economic collapse, will hopefully bring about revolution, by citizens long suffering under tyranny.
Trump will release the Kurds, with American and Israeli intelligence, to control the death of innocent civilians.
The defeatist , in their TDS psychosis, overestimated Irans ability, and hoped Trump would fail to repair 50 years of democratic appeasement, with deterrence.
In Yankee farmeresq
You don’t hang horse thieves to stop them from stealing horses, it’s to stop others from stealing horses.
Democrats would have outlawed horses or appeased the criminal, with a slap on the wrist.
How’s that working out?
The modern Axis of evil, is losing badly, Venezuela down, Iran defeated and soon in rebellion, China will follow, and Putin will cut losses – and assist America in chinas defeat.
Russia is good at small things, the larger picture still evades them. Trump can throttle Russian economy in minutes, Putin knows it, he also remembers 27,000,000 soldiers killed in WW 2. Germans killed them at rates approaching 100/1.
America’s lethality and resolve, is not lost on people of actual intelligence, as it is with Neanderthals and intellectuals.
American and Israeli willingness to kill, our enemies, should have never been restrained.
The age of Accountability is coming back, Swallowswell is just the first Demonrat to be Destroyed, Moron Healey will be have shortest second term in history.
Trump playing it perfectly, Blue slip nonsense and judiciary impeachments, will bring Accountability home. Insuring midterm red wave- never let a good scandal, go to waste!
4/13/26@7:30am
Tom
I like the Neanderthal and intellectuals. Also goid: horse thieves, but the projection of success is a bit too simple. Possible, worthy to go for it, but its a complex and difficult exercise. Success may be measured in meeting primary goal: seizing the metal and freeing the Strait.
Russia remembers WWII, but Russian military strategy is strictly scorched earth, even their own. Their Tsars don’t count their dead and lost territory; just their wins.
Iran and Russia are gang led. Probably cannot assume central cohesive control but various power centers (military, police, economic) each independently operating. If Tsar Putin abruptly departs, you would see inconsistent behaviors.
Truly like the neanderthal observation. They were the intellectuals, and they got eaten for breakfast by Homosapiens. We got their neat tools too.
Why throw stones at the producer? I fear tat it is because “you understand that you will not be able to change his mind.” (War and Peace, chapter 27, page 23.)
Tom, look on the bright side of life; you can freely argue your position, with which I agree btw. We’re too old to get emotionally wrecked by an argument just because we disagree.
Most valuable news offering of today: first, and second most valuable event, Viktor Orbán’s election defeat. Second, and most valuable event, Orbán accepts his defeat and concedes the election, resulting in the peaceful transfer of power.
Are you paying attention, Mr Trump and Mr Vance?
NWO fan
Mayor Lumpy should take this as a sign from above and scrap the unneeded Wahconah Park project.
Thief Steals Ring During Wahconah Park Event / iBerkshires.com – The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
Bitchfield has some really outstanding accomplishments under our elected leadership:
Mayor Linda “Flat” Tyer-Clairmont-the DPW crew painted SCOHOL ZONE on East Street.
Mayor Lumpy Marchetti-celebrates the swindling of taxpayer’s money on an unneeded project, by getting the championship ring of the only professional team in Bitchfield to win one, stolen.
If those two examples don’t encapsulate Bitchfield’s “leadership,” I don’t know what does?
Did they check with the people who have keys to the place? It may be the same person who took money from PHS prom umpty seven years ago and was never prosecuted so did not learn a lesson. But odds are it is not some homeless person but rather a well known grownup who associates with the place and new ballpark.
The ring Can’t be worth to much. But I’ll ask around. Oh. Has anyone seen my shrinking paycheck and invoices for the taxes and increases in my property tax?.
Now that’s thievery.
Red the article on the Wahconah Park ceremony.Yeah and how about the clown who said he snuck under the fence as a kid. You can guarantee he won’t be paying to get a new stadium seat when it opens.
What is the Statue of Limitations on sneaking under a fence? They should make an example out of this guy so some similar minded smuck does not try to pull that under Marchetti’s watch.
Perhaps the Parking Meter violator Ice Agent could be hired to prowl the fence lines during concerts, (oops, I mean ball games) and nail these grifters so they don’t compromise the cities bottom line. Perhaps the renovations could include a cell or two under the grandstands where they could be held and mocked and ridiculed by law abiding citizens.
Can I get a HELL YAH!!! on this one?
April is Financial Literacy month.
Here are some programs around me where I live in Southern New Hampshire that would help people with financial literacy and other related money matters in Pittsfield (Mass.).
Nashua, NH, is going to start a new program to teach people financial literacy skills.
https://nashua.inklink.news/nashua-pursues-nonprofit-partner-for-first-in-nh-financial-empowerment-center/
There are some other financial educational programs in New Hampshire cities near where I live.
Manchester, NH, is going to educate Senior Citizens about financial fraud and scams.
https://manchester.inklink.news/its-financial-literacy-month-free-sessions-to-learn-how-to-protect-yourself/
Many other municipalities in Massachusetts have released their fiscal year 2027 operating budget proposals, but NOT Pittsfield.
Financial management is a BIG piece of Public Administration. Pittsfield’s annual budget is one of the most consequential decisions that the Mayor and City Council make.
One would have to be financially illiterate to believe that Pittsfield’s excessive finances are honest in any way, shape, or form.
Jon Melle
How about the bike lanes on haunted north street? There wider than the vehicle path. And NOBODY BIKES THERE ! Even the Planet won’t give me a thumbs down on that ! Unless it’s bot rigged …….just sayin. And Lady C the assessments were to high.
Any chance the city paints the crosswalks before the Halloween parade this year? Prolly not since they can’t afford windows for PHS, although they are doing a new school and new ballpark so I am confused. They can redo intersections that cost millions but cannot paint crosswalks because SAFETY had different meaning to different people.
Check out the faded paint at Pecks and Valentine. It’s bad enough the right lane turn always has cars going straight instead of right turn only.
The most stinging, and valid, indictment of the current administration is that we would not want our children and grandchildren to reach adulthood possessing the values and ethics of Vance and Trump
Don’t worry about the children reaching adulthood with learning about values and ethics from anyone else other than the ones we indoctrinate them with first. We will cover that while we have the children during their education years.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/189a999f7648bec7d4d528c1da495bee15ccb56be24fe219763e1
661bc777d1e.jpg
Meanwhile, good to see you took a break from your computer (TDS) and got some fresh air.
Is that Melania’s new disguise?
That’s the American Federation of Teachers centerfold pet teacher of the year 2026
She’s beautiful. Deserves a Proclamtion (applause) by lumpy at the next city clowncil meeting.
Sexy Lady
April 13, 2026
Hello blogger Dan Valenti,
I received a response email letter from my Congresswoman, Maggie Goodlander, about Trump’s War against Iran’s EVIL regime. Please open the Attachment.
I agree with her that Trump’s threats against Iran’s whole civilization was wrong on many levels.
I agree with her that Members of U.S. Congress and other leaders should stand up for Human Rights in Iran and the entire World. I remember as a child that U.S. President Ronald Reagan said that the U.S.A. was founded on Human Rights. When I was a toddler, U.S. President Jimmy Carter modeled his administration and foreign policy on Human Rights.
I also believe that she should have also addressed Iran’s EVIL regime’s Mass Murders of tens of thousands of it own people inside of Iran, its terrorism, and violent extremism.
I agree with her that the U.S. Congress should VOTE on Trump’s War against Iran’s EVIL regime.
The structural problem with her push for a VOTE is that it would be a futile and academic exercise because without 2/3rd’s majority to terminate Trump’s War, Trump would veto it, and Trump’s War would continue on.
The U.S. Constitution states that the U.S. Congress VOTE for a Declaration of War, but the last time that occurred was in World War 2.
After the end of WW2, the U.S.A.’s undeclared wars around the world have resulted in the deaths of many millions of people over the past 8 decades.
Our nation’s law enforcement agencies have become militarized, too. Poor and minority areas in inner-cities are over-policed, the so-called war on drugs is structurally racist and targets poverty instead of providing targeted assistance to the people who are most in need, and there have been calls to defund the police, abolish ICE, and use mental health programs as an evidence-based and proven way to reduce violent crime and substance abuse.
I am happy that my Congresswoman, Maggie Goodlander, who is a fellow Veteran, and she once worked for U.S. Senator John McCain, writes email letters to me, sent me a Christmas 2025 card, and talks with me when I see her in her legislative district.
I am also happy that I have received warm email letters from U.S. President Donald Trump, who always addresses me as Veteran Melle. I am grateful for my Veterans Benefits, too. We are fortunate to live in the U.S.A.
Best wishes,
Jon Melle
Permanent and Total, 100-percent service-connected disabled Veteran who served Honorably
Look.Don Jr. Eric. Ivanka and her hub Hari Kruhsna sic are making 100 of millions. And that’s all that counts.
So continue to collect your few grand a month and cry poor me on here. But remember,this President has about three mo years. Deal with it. And he came out today saying the a pope isn’t his favorite and is Soft on Crime.
Aside. How is Juggs be allowed on a board and be a sitting c Clowncil or?
It’s funny Dan. As I was looking at the photo at Wahconah Park ceremony. I said to myself looks like a bunch of criminals and vagrants. And who was that old dude sitting? Sneakers no Sox? If that didn’t look stupid. You’d have thought it was Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee at stadium..
And to the dum dum who took the ring. No one will pay a dime for it.
They knocked down the old grandstand that wasn’t much but was everything. What does the ring matter anymore? That’s the point.
Ya gotta be a desperado or a buffoon to take the ring. I will make an offer of 24 dollars if the thief is interested. That’ll get you a four six pack of Budweiser. I’ll even throw in Dan Valenti latest book with autograph. Another 12 dollars.
Even the Mayor was dressed like a vagrant.
And beer belly like Mele sights.
Who gives scrap about the ring, not like a Louie painting was stolen? It’s on the news everywhere.
A perpetually slow news day locally.
Sounds like a diversion Dan.
How many of them were there made? They don’t make a die for just one ring do they?
I got a friend in Shanghai that can make me up about a hundred of them by tomorrow morning if I get the order in before 5pm today. $25 each and that includes a border of pink diamonds.
You do that, and whatever value that thing had goes down the toilet.
I was nyc aboutThirty years ago and bought a knock off rolex for twenty guy……..just sayin
Yes Jin. My name Pope Trump. I forgive you for all your political rhetoric and buffoonery tactics. Pleasexforgivecand apologize to the lumpy and luciforos o& the world and I will pray for you to keep your monthly benefit military stipend which you so richly deserve.
Lumpy cut Luciforo a city-backed check for $341,000 in 2024 after Luciforo cut Lumpy a campaign donation check for $1,000 in 2023.
“Jon Melle the have-NOT” is NOT a millionaire like Luciforo, nor am I a fan of my relative Lumpy in Pittsfield politics.
Of course there was no quid pro there right Soldier? And any oversight on that 341,000. I wanna know about this kufflinks slush find you always talk about and how it works?
Lets not demean DJT by calling Him the emissary or Son of God when He is in fact above those pay grades.
Pope Trump. High on crime. I like it !
THE PLANET received this comment from Glen Heller, who addressed it to all Berkshire County residents:
To readers in Berkshire County:
It’s already happening in Hampshire County, so count on it becoming the new reality in the towns of nearby Berkshire County, the inevitable result of one-party rule in Massachusetts. Will YOU be on the hook to pay?
The following article appeared in yesterday’s New York Post:
“Massachusetts town at war over proposed 50% property tax hike: ‘Absolutely devastating’”
https://nypost.com/2026/04/13/business/massachusetts-town-at-war-over-proposed-50-property-tax-hike-absolutely-devastating/
Good luck, and thank you for your attention to this matter.
I saw that too. Its a ominous warning to anyone living in the Northeast. State Legislators are writing outrageous budgets; governors are hiding the impact to taxpayers by funding them through reserves. VT is facing 20% global hike for multiple years as result.
Didn’t something similar happen thus year in Gt Barrington?
They know . All commies know that increasing taxes increases poverty. That’s the goal. As soon as the takers outnumber the makers, the commies will rule. Then you get Maduro or Castro types leading the states, cities and
towns.
Pittsfield taxpayers don’t even have the option to know about the fiscal year 2027 municipal operating budget because….
Earl and the 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics are Missing in Action on how much more they will pound, pummel, pulverize, punish people’s purses starting in a little over 2.5 months on July 01st, 2026.
Where is the budget proposal in Pittsfield?
Many other municipalities in Massachusetts have made headlines with their budget proposals, but Mayor Peter Marchetti is filling his big beer belly instead.
1% of NYS pays close to 50% tax haul. Probably true elsewhere. Given the small number of such people, driving even a small number out will hit the median earner hard.
Millionaire Taxes, definitely a communist inspiration, should hit the average taxpayer fairly rapidly. When a pol puts an spending on a budget, they will never take it off, gov jobs are at stake. So they’ll make you pay more for it.
It is Blackrocks new way of getting your home.
Milltown has bought up around 140 homes and counting .
and who does Milltown report to?
Looks like the Existential Threat to American citizens isn’t just from some Iranian Ayatollah. It’s also from our own crazy political leaders bent on using Tax Nukes on its own American citizens.
I wonder how many of us are prepared for the results these Tax Nukes will be bringing to us ?
Keeps Uhaul busy.
Mullen Mayflower out of business?
Milltown bought up the Mullen storage operations in Pittsfield & Adams along with other Mullen assets.
I agree with the speaker at open mike tonight the streets are filthy. Lumpy should be ashamed.
Do they really have a list of Pittsfield taxpayers delinquent on their property taxes?
Thanks Glenn. But when was it in question taxachusetts was anything other ?