The Window for Diplomacy with Iran Is Closing

The U.S. has spent the last six and a half years waging a relentless economic war against Iran for no good reason, and Trump just affirmed his intention to intensify that war.

Iran’s supreme leader doesn’t seem very interested in talking to the U.S.:

Iran’s supreme leader said Friday that negotiations with America “are not intelligent, wise or honorable” after President Donald Trump floated nuclear talks with Tehran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also suggested that “there should be no negotiations with such a government,” but stopped short of issuing a direct order not to engage with Washington.

The good news is that Khamenei didn’t completely shut the door to future negotiations, but he is making clear that he thinks more talks are a waste of time. His reservations are understandable given Iran’s experience with U.S. diplomacy in the last decade. Iran made significant concessions in exchange for sanctions relief that was only grudgingly provided and then the U.S. broke all of its commitments just a few years later. The U.S. has spent the last six and a half years waging a relentless economic war against Iran for no good reason, and Trump just affirmed his intention to intensify that war. Considering Washington’s track record and its actions since 2018, would you agree to new negotiations if you were in Iran’s leadership?