Is losing the new winning?
Because I’m genuinely confused about Iran, so maybe somebody can explain this to me.
Because just a few days ago, Iran was telling us there would be no negotiations with Donald Trump.
Trump had to go.
Iran wasn’t going to surrender or give up its nuclear ambitions.
Iran wasn’t going to bend, or negotiate under pressure.
And now?
Iran wants to negotiate.
Wait.
What happened? Did I miss something?
Because apparently Iran has gone from:
“We will NEVER negotiate with Trump!”
to:
“Mr. Trump, could we possibly have a little conversation?”
And apparently this is happening while Iran is winning.
That’s the part I’m having trouble with.
Iran’s president is now telling the world that Iran has won its war against the United States. The world, we’re told, has recognized the Iranian victory.
Wonderful! Congratulations, Iran. You won?
So why do you want to negotiate with the guy you just defeated?
That’s an interesting question.
Because if you’re winning, shouldn’t you be demanding that Trump surrender?
Shouldn’t you be saying:
“Donald Trump, we have defeated you. We demand your unconditional surrender.”
Instead, Iran appears to be saying:
“Donald Trump, we have defeated you. Now could you please stop the sanctions?”
Is losing the new winning?
Because I’ve seen this movie before.
You lose an election, but say you won.
You lose seats in Congress, but say you won.
You get politically obliterated, but claim you’ve never been stronger.
And now apparently Iran has discovered the same strategy.
Declare victory loudly enough and maybe nobody will notice the begging.
But let’s go back a few days.
Iran wasn’t just reluctant to negotiate.
Iran was telling us it would not negotiate with Trump.
Period.
And now they’re talking about negotiations.
Iran’s foreign minister is calling for “respectful negotiations” while the United States is preparing what Washington describes as some of the toughest economic pressure ever imposed on Tehran.
So let me ask a very simple question:
If Trump’s strategy isn’t working, why does Iran suddenly want him to stop?
That’s the part the experts need to explain to me.
Because if economic pressure is accomplishing nothing…
Why is Tehran so interested in economic relief?
If Trump is losing, why is Iran asking for negotiations?
If Iran has won, why does Iran need a deal?
Finally, if Iran is stronger than ever, then why is its leadership suddenly so concerned about what happens next?
Somebody’s math isn’t mathing.
And then there’s the nuclear issue.
For years, Iran has insisted that it has every right to maintain its nuclear program.
Trump says Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
Iran says it won’t surrender.
Trump applies pressure.
Iran says pressure won’t work.
Trump increases pressure.
Iran says America is desperate.
Then, “Let’s negotiate.”
Again, I’m confused.
Maybe this is the new definition of victory.
You know:
Victory = asking your opponent to stop doing the thing that’s hurting you.
If that’s the definition, I’ve been misunderstanding warfare my entire life.
And then there’s another little detail that makes this even more fascinating.
Iran has been accused of plotting to kill Donald Trump.
Iran has made its hatred of Trump abundantly clear.
Trump is the guy they supposedly wouldn’t negotiate with.
Trump is the guy they wanted out of office.
Trump is the guy they said they would never deal with.
And now that same Trump is the guy they want sitting across the table.
That’s quite a character arc.
So what changed?
The circumstances changed, because Trump changed them.
And that’s precisely what pressure is supposed to do.
Pressure changes calculations.
You don’t apply pressure because you expect your adversary to immediately stand up and say:
“You’re absolutely right. We surrender.”
You apply pressure because eventually the cost of refusing to negotiate becomes greater than the cost of negotiating.
And that’s where Iran appears to be right now.
I’m not saying Iran has surrendered, though that will come soon. Still, I am not saying the regime is collapsing tomorrow. Not likely.
But when a regime that declared “never negotiate with Trump” starts talking about negotiations with Trump, you might want to pay attention.
Something changed.
And here’s where I really want to hear from the people who spent all this time criticizing Trump’s strategy.
The anti-war crowd.
The people who said:
“We don’t want Iran to have nuclear weapons, but we don’t like Trump’s approach.”
Okay. Great.
Here’s your moment.
Iran wants negotiations. What do you want Trump to do?
Do you want him to negotiate?
Fine.
But here’s the problem.
Trump currently has leverage.
Why would you surrender the leverage before you negotiate?
Iran’s economy is under enormous pressure. The United States is threatening even tougher sanctions, and Iranian officials are openly discussing the economic consequences.
And that’s why I think Trump should be extremely careful.
I’m not opposed to negotiations.
I’m opposed to negotiating from weakness when you have the opportunity to negotiate from strength.
Iran wants sanctions relief?
Earn it.
Iran wants access to frozen assets?
Earn it.
Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened?
Earn it.
Iran wants the international community to believe its nuclear program is peaceful?
Prove it.
Iran wants America to stop military action?
Then address the reasons America is taking military action.
And don’t give us another piece of paper that says:
“Trust us.”
We’ve seen that movie, and it didn’t end well.
So here’s my position:
Negotiate if you want.
But don’t negotiate away the leverage that got Iran to the negotiating table.
And don’t let Iran declare victory and then collect the trophy.
Frankly, I feel good about our negotiator.
