Trump’s Negotiations with Iran are a Masterclass in International Diplomacy

There is an adage that some are playing checkers and others are playing chess. Chess is a sophisticated game that involves strategizing multiple moves ahead of your opponent, while checkers is a relatively simple game that doesn’t require individuals to think much in advance. President Trump has proven himself to be one of the best negotiators ever seen in the White House. The 47th President in less than 5 years has negotiated the USMCA deal, the Abrahama Accords, and a significant recent trade deal with England, and he is on the verge of announcing a major accord with China on trade as well. Trump, famous for writing the art of the deal, has mastered how to use the leverage of the Presidency to get deals done for the United States.

There is a reason why Iran was attempting to assassinate the President. Trump had the despicable Iranian regime cornered in his first term. Oil prices were low, the US and the international community led by Trump were enforcing tough sanctions on the Ayatollahs, and the economy of Iran was struggling. Then Biden came in and destroyed most of the progress that the President had made in a very short time. The failed former President stopped enforcing the most important sanctions on oil, energy prices rose significantly, and the violent Iranian government had plenty of money to finance terrorism in the region and worldwide. Iran also had almost no reason to return to the negotiating table when their economy was doing well with Biden in office.

The tables have turned today. With energy prices back down and Trump enforcing the sanctions again, the Iranian regime faces tough choices. The vile regime had little interest in negotiating with the US on the country’s efforts to pursue nuclear weapons when Biden was in office since Iran’s economy was doing well, but today the Iranian economy is again dealing with difficult times. This is also why Trump’s recent decision to normalize relations with Syria after the recent overthrow of Assad is so critical right now as well. Syria was a key ally to Iran, the Iranian government used Syrian territory to send arms to Hezbullah and the country’s relationship with Assad prevented the rogue nation from being isolated in the region as well. Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, and Israel have long opposed the Iranian regime, and Syria has been the country’s only real ally in the Middle East for some time.

Trump’s successful outreach to the new Syrian leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, should prevent Syria from forging the kind of relationship with Iran that would undoubtedly strain relations with the US. Trump, as usual, holds all the cards. The US can provide significant economic, military, and humanitarian assistance to the poor Syrian nation. America has carrots and sticks though, the United States can also sanction and take actions against Syria if the country seeks to reengage with the dangerous Iranian regime. Ahmed Al-Sharaa has been open to reestablishing relations with the US, so Trump’s overtures appear to likely be successful in putting further pressure on an Iranian regime already facing difficult times.

Iran would have never had the financial resources to support terrorism that the country did when Biden was President if the previous failed Administration had followed the successful path Trump was on in his first term. The current President is a master of negotiation and he is playing chess against an Iranian regime that is running out of cards to play. The effort to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons spans decades and has resulted in mixed results. President Trump appears on his way to achieving without any military actions what multiple previous administrations failed to do, getting Iran to give up their nuclear ambitions without a shot being fired.