The historic events in Syria raise the risk of another major Middle East crisis already awaiting President-elect Trump. With the disappearance of Iran's ally in Damascus, following other recent losses in the region; reinforce Motivation to complete efforts towards nuclear weapons And we will redouble our efforts to draw the next administration into negotiations.
Rather than show goodwill or make concessions, the Iranian government is building influence to force relief from sanctions and military threats. They also want to wear out their watches with tough lace “snapbacks.” Banned by the United Nations About nuclear weapons and conventional weapons programs.
At this late hour, the United States cannot afford any further diplomacy on Tehran's terms. In past nuclear talks, Iran pressured U.S. officials to abandon demands, water down sanctions, waste precious time, and ultimately do nothing to stop nuclear development. succeeded. Throughout, the United States downplayed diplomatic alternatives, while Iran built counter pressure with its nuclear program and attacks on American interests.
a new report Our organization shows how Trump can overcome these challenges and stop his administration from reaching the nuclear threshold. Continue decades The United States has pledged to do whatever it takes to keep the bomb out of Iran's hands, but abandoning this commitment would severely undermine American credibility, encourage further Iranian aggression, and encourage China, Russia, and North Korea to abandon this commitment. This would undermine deterrence against Korea.
The new president will need to consider Iran's offer to negotiate, if only to build broad support for a tougher form of engagement. But first, it must accumulate maximum influence to force the Iranian government to engage seriously and urgently. If Iran fails to do so, or if negotiations do not materialize, Iran will have to apply similar pressure to prevent Iran's nuclear program by other means. Fortunately, Iran will certainly curb aggression in such cases. serious step Trustworthy.
President Trump should now warn everyone who supports Iran's economy to shut down their operations immediately, or he will face painful penalties on his first day in office, and he will It is also possible to reduce the government's revenue by enforcing sanctions across the board on those involved in the production and export of products.
By encouraging the expansion of energy production domestically and in friendly Arab countries, and by replenishing dwindling strategic oil reserves, by lowering the selling price of Iran's remaining oil and threatening the Middle East's remaining oil exports. Attempts at retaliation can be thwarted.
But economic pressure alone is not enough, as the Iranian government routinely escalates nuclear attacks and regional aggression in response. To maximize the credibility of U.S. military options, President Trump should signal his readiness to use force against his administration's most valuable assets.
Specifically, the Pentagon will need to update its plans to neutralize Iran's nuclear and other military facilities. Deploy strategic bombers, massive penetrating weapons, and additional naval assets within range. Conduct visible exercises using these assets. Congress can help by passing new authorizations for the use of military force against Iran's nuclear program.
President Trump also needs to create a united front as the Iranian government inevitably seeks to separate the United States from its European, Israeli, and Arab partners. Active cooperation with Europe will be essential to trigger a UN snapback well before the October 2025 deadline, and the European Union will deal a major blow to the regime by designating the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. You need to convince them to give.
Most importantly, Iran has never faced the nightmare scenario of a coordinated military threat from the United States and Israel. The impact of sanctions will increase over time, but for now Israel's proven ability to inflict significant damage on Iran and its proxies is the most responsive and most lethal means at hand. It becomes.
President Trump could sharpen Iran's mind by declaring that Israel's military actions are consistent with U.S. precautionary policy and replenishing or upgrading key capabilities such as precision-guided weapons, aerial refueling tankers, and air defense. As in the past, the Pentagon should consider leaving some of these assets in Israel after bilateral exercises.
For the first time in history, the United States is forced to take advantage of the regime's growing domestic illegitimacy and shift its focus from external aggression to closing its domestic security gaps.
President Trump needs to take all of these steps quickly and aggressively, regardless of whether negotiations progress. If it does, he will maintain maximum pressure, demand Iran prove its goodwill through compliance with nuclear inspectors and an enrichment freeze, set a diplomatic deadline before the snapback expires, and ensure that Iran If they hesitate or drag their feet, they should abandon negotiations and seek stronger options.
Only by avoiding the mistakes of his predecessor can President Trump pursue a deal that permanently and meaningfully limits Iranian enrichment, addresses nuclear and regional threats alike, and verifiably forces abandonment of its nuclear program. can hope to obtain. Even if that didn't happen, he would still build a legacy by upholding America's enduring but endangered pledge to stop Iran's nuclear program by acting quickly and decisively. You could do that.
Ambassador Eric Edelman and retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Charles Wald will co-chair the Iran Policy Project. American National Security Jewish Institutewhere they are respectively eminent scholars and eminent associates. Mr. Edelman is a former assistant secretary of defense for policy, and Mr. Wald is a former deputy commander of U.S. European Command.
