No Trust, No Illusions: The Only Path to Prevent Nuclear Iran
The core strategic priority for the United States and its allies must be to prevent nuclear Iran. As a powerful new analysis from the Gatestone Institute argues, this objective cannot rely on the goodwill of Tehran's rulers. The Iranian regime operates like a "mafia state," using repression, intimidation, and even negotiations as tactical tools to preserve power and buy time. Therefore, any successful approach must abandon illusions and be built on a foundation of relentless verification, credible deterrence, and the undeniable power to punish violations. Why Should the Iranian Regime Not Be Trusted in Nuclear Negotiations? Trust is a luxury the international community cannot afford. The regime's pattern of behavior—supporting armed proxies, threatening neighbors, exploiting regional disorder, and using diplomatic engagement to advance its strategic position—has consistently broken faith. As the source article states, " Nothing in Iran's conduct justifies ...