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The Art of No Deal with Iran
(Washington Post) Editorial - When the Iranian regime shoots down a U.S. Army helicopter, it's a much needed reminder that Tehran's negotiators are not seriously pursuing acceptable terms to end the war. While the U.S. launched a round of retaliatory strikes Tuesday described as "a proportional response," it's important for the U.S. to not cut a deal that would provide a lifeline of cash to Iran as the government continues pursuing its nuclear ambitions. Without regime change, a good answer to the Iran question will remain elusive. Appeasement has never worked as a strategy to contain Iran's imperial ambitions. Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. freed up billions in frozen funds in an attempt to buy goodwill during nuclear negotiations. Iran took the money and dragged out talks. At the same time, Iran blew through limits on uranium enrichment, barred international nuclear inspections and continued to fund terrorist proxies across the region, including Hamas. Negotiations sputtered. Instead of haggling, Trump can keep ratcheting up the cost of conflict for Iran. One of his most effective tools is the blockade, which has already shrunk Iranian oil exports from 2.1 million barrels per day in February to just 64,000. Flinching now would squander so much of the president's leverage.