Mike Baker

All right, let's get briefed.

First up, we're learning how that last-minute ceasefire with Iran came together and why, even after it was announced, attacks continued across the region.

I'll have the details.

Later in the show, an American journalist is released after being kidnapped by an Iran-backed terror group in Iraq as we get new insight into the deal that secured her freedom.

But first, today's afternoon bulletin.

We're getting some idea of how that last-minute ceasefire, or possible ceasefire, between the U.S.

and Iran actually came together, and just how close both sides came to a major escalation.

According to new reporting from Axios, the breakthrough came, supposedly, when Iran's supreme leader, Mustafa Khamenei, personally stepped in and gave his negotiators the green light to move toward a deal.

That reportedly marked a significant shift.

Up until that point, Iran had been holding firm, but facing the real prospect of a massive U.S.

strike, Khamenei reportedly authorized movement, something that sources described as a, quote, breakthrough.

Now, here's a caveat for you.

There are conflicting reports about Khamenei's condition and role in the decision-making.

As you'll recall, we've talked about that here before on the PDB, ever since being named as the successor, the new supreme leader of Iran.

Well, there's been no sight of him.

He's been the amazing Claude Rains.

A separate report from the Times in the UK suggests he may be incapacitated and unable to directly participate.

That raises the possibility that this green light came through intermediaries or others acting on his behalf.

The truth is, nobody fully knows.

But no matter who made the decision on the Iranian side, the timing was critical.