I was always under the impression that LBSR was in talks with "multiple interested partners."

Correct, and no one should doubt that.   What is questionable, however, is the nature and extent of such "interest" and the meaning of  "talks."  Such limited disclosures may only be intended to sustain hope among shareholders.  In other words, there was probably no sold meat to be digested from that.

IMO, one must always look at such disclosures as stretchings of the truth, something quite common among tiny exploration-phase miners.

What did 60s-era Hippies use to say?  Question authority!