The Iranian people have shown true courage as they protest against the Islamic Republic. As the pressure mounts, some elements of Iran’s regime have been pushing to negotiate with the Trump administration – trying to create the impression they are ready to drink from the ‘poisoned chalice’ as the Islamic Revolution’s founder Ruhollah Khomeini did to end the Iran-Iraq war in 1988.

Saeed Laylaz, a reformist economist, told Euro News last week that, ‘I have information that Iranian political officials are ready for dialogue with the other side’. More pragmatic figures within the Islamic Republic – namely Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and others – are likely arguing internally for diplomatic outreach to the United States. This is not because they want to fundamentally change the regime but because they have a vested interest in preserving it. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly throughout its history demonstrated that it is incapable of reform, which is why the Iranian people are trying to oust it.

If the US government were to pursue a deal with........

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