Trump gives Iran an ultimatum: Deal with the US or face Israel, as nuclear talks in Rome teeter on the edge of catastrophic failure.
At a Glance
- The US and Iran are heading to Rome for a second round of nuclear talks after initial discussions in Oman
- Trump has presented Iran with two options: a new nuclear deal or potential military action, likely led by Israel
- Iran has enough highly-enriched uranium for several bombs but claims it won’t build nuclear weapons
- Iran insists uranium enrichment is non-negotiable, while Trump demands a deal “stronger” than Obama’s 2015 agreement
- Israeli PM Netanyahu favors complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program and may be preparing military strikes
Another Useless Round of Talk-Therapy with Terror Sponsors
Here we go again, folks. The Biden administration is gearing up for another round of kumbaya sessions with the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Rome is the new venue for these pointless nuclear talks with Iran, following an earlier chat in Oman. Remember when America projected strength? Now we’re begging the mullahs to please, pretty please, stop enriching uranium while they laugh all the way to their centrifuges. Meanwhile, our intelligence agencies warn that Iran has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs – but don’t worry, they pinky-promise they won’t build any!
At least Trump is putting some steel in the negotiations, reminding Iran they have two options: deal or consequences. As he bluntly put it: “I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death… That’s my first option. If there’s a second option, I think it would be very bad for Iran.” That’s diplomatic speak for “Make a deal or face Israel’s wrath” – something the previous administration never had the spine to articulate.
Iran’s Nuclear Con Game Continues
The absolute gall of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would be impressive if it weren’t so dangerous. He’s out there insisting that uranium enrichment is “non-negotiable” while expecting sanctions relief. This is like a bank robber demanding to keep the gun while asking for immunity. Let’s remember how we got here: Trump correctly pulled out of Obama’s disastrous 2015 deal, which was nothing but a pathway to nuclear weapons with a time delay. Now the Iranians have breached every meaningful restriction and are racing toward bomb-making capability.
“I wouldn’t say waved off. I’m not in a rush to do it.” – Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, our Special Envoy Steve Witkoff can’t even keep his own talking points straight, making contradictory statements about what exactly we’re demanding from Iran. This is exactly why America’s enemies don’t fear us anymore – our own negotiators can’t articulate a coherent position. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, ever the master of diplomatic double-speak, says negotiating with America is “not logical, not wise, nor honourable” – yet here they are, negotiating through back channels while pretending they’re not.
Israel: The Adult in the Room
Thank God for Israel’s clarity. While the Biden administration fumbles around with diplomatic niceties, Prime Minister Netanyahu understands what’s at stake: a nuclear-armed Iran means an existential threat to Israel and catastrophic destabilization of the entire Middle East. Netanyahu is pushing for a Libya-style deal – complete dismantlement – which is the only approach that makes any sense. Why are we even entertaining the idea that the world’s leading exporter of terrorism should have any enrichment capability? The answer is simple: weakness and appeasement from an administration more concerned with photo ops than security.
“The conversation with the Iranians will be much about two critical points, and ultimately verification on weaponization, that includes missiles, type of missiles that they have stockpiled there, and it includes the trigger for a bomb.” – Witkoff.
American intelligence has warned of potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and frankly, who could blame them? When diplomatic channels fail and your very existence is threatened, you act. That’s what responsible nations do. Trump has urged Israel to hold off while talks proceed, which makes sense tactically, but there needs to be a hard deadline. Iran has mastered the art of endless negotiations while advancing their nuclear program under our noses. The two-month deadline Trump has proposed is generous – perhaps too generous given Iran’s history of deception and delay.
The Bottom Line
The stakes couldn’t be higher. A nuclear-armed Iran would trigger a regional arms race, embolden terrorists worldwide, and potentially lead to nuclear material falling into the hands of Iran’s terrorist proxies. The Biden administration’s approach of begging and pleading, offering sanctions relief while getting nothing concrete in return, is a recipe for disaster. Trump’s “deal or war” framework is the only language Iran understands. After 44 years of “Death to America” chants and sponsoring attacks against our troops and allies, it’s time to stop pretending we’re dealing with reasonable actors. Either Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions entirely, or they face consequences. No more half-measures, no more kicking the can down the road.
