The time for talk is over Trump needs to get tough with Iran

Just three weeks after it was signed, the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran is on life support.Tehran’s promise to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping turned out to be about as trustworthy as every other major promise the Islamic Republic has ever made.As the regime was busy staging the lavish funeral for its recently eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian forces went ahead and attacked three commercial vessels transiting the strait.The United States struck nearly 100 military targets across Iran in response.Now President Trump has dismissed the negotiations as a “waste of time,” casting aside any diplomatic niceties by describing Iran’s rulers in stark terms: “liars,” “cuckoo,” “sick people,” “scum.”And he’s right.Unlike much of Washington, Trump has long grasped that the Islamic Republic negotiates only to keep itself afloat.During his first term, Trump pulled the plug on former President Barack Obama’s deeply flawed nuclear deal, imposed severe sanctions, and ordered the elimination of Qassem Soleimani, the mastermind behind Iran’s global terrorist network.In his second term, he twice deployed American military power against the regime — first in June 2025 and again this year.Yet Tehran seemed convinced it could simply recycle the same playbook that had worked for decades.The strategy? Offer negotiations.

Buy time.Secure sanctions relief.

Drive a wedge between the United States and its allies.Rebuild military capabilities.

Fund terrorist proxies.Ramp up missile production.And, of course, preserve the nuclear program until the next opportune moment.Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Please provide a valid email.

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For years, this strategy worked because Western governments were genuinely desperate for diplom...