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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/04/22/trump-best-move-iran-negotiations/
The Iranian Regime Is Running Out of Time
(Washington Post) Marc A. Thiessen - Sometimes the best deal is no deal. Right now, the remnants of the Iranian regime are under the misimpression that Trump wants a deal more than they do. Iran's goal is clearly to drag out the negotiations as long as possible. They are betting that Trump does not want to restart the war. The truth is, Iran needs a deal more than Trump does. The country has been battered militarily by almost 40 days of unrelenting strikes, and now it is being battered economically by a naval blockade of its ports. The Iranian regime is on the ropes, but it is not yet defeated. While U.S. and Israeli strikes have taken out much of Iran's offensive military capabilities, the ceasefire took effect when CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper still needed about 14 days to finish striking the target list he was assigned. If Iran continues to refuse his terms, Trump should give Cooper those final 14 days and maintain the blockade, strangling Iran economically. And if Iran is still not willing to meet Trump's demands, he can declare victory without a deal. The writer is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush.