Peloni: Iran’s ballistic missile threat is too great to ignore, even as it was ignored in today’s meeting in Oman. The US should respond to Iran’s sense of omnipotence by demonstrating that it is the US which has the ability to make demands in these negotiations, not Iran.
The answer may be simpler and more obvious than most of us have thought. It lies in Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Am Thinker | February 6, 2026
Recently, the United States was expected to hold negotiations with Iran in the Gulf Sultanate of Oman. The Trump administration announced the cancellation of the said talks amid disagreements over Iran’s insistence that the negotiations remain strictly limited to its nuclear program, while Washington wanted to discuss a large array of issues. That disagreement alone raises the question: What issue is Tehran even more reluctant to discuss than its holiest of holy, its nuclear program?
The answer may be simpler and more obvious than most of us have thought. It lies in Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Iran’s missile capability presents a very different kind of strategic challenge, and poses a risk that stretches even beyond the Middle East, as it now possesses a large stock of ballistic missiles. Once launched, those missiles leave the atmosphere into outer space, then re-enter at extremely high speed toward their targets. That flight profile makes interception difficult even for advanced defense systems.
The only system capable of intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles is the United States’ THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense). This system has shown very strong interception capabilities, with only a fraction of misses. Yet Iran has tried to counter this advantage by launching large numbers of missiles simultaneously during its 12-day confrontation with Israel last year. Despite the U.S. having deployed THAAD in Israel, supported by Israeli missile defense systems, some Iranian missiles did get through. The damage, while contained, was painful enough to influence the calculations of both Washington and Israel when it comes to their next big move with Iran, hence shaping the next big confrontation in the region.
The U.S. is taking ballistic missiles very seriously. One Washington source put it bluntly in a private conversation: “Iran has to kiss its ballistic missiles goodbye, or go to war.” A reason for this firm stance may be the fact that Iran is said to have both short- and mid-range ballistic missiles. Should Iran move to the long-range level, possibly with Chinese or North Korean technologies, this would mean that London, for example, could easily be within Iran’s missile reach.
Hence, Washington’s main stipulation concerns the full dismantlement of Iran’s ballistic missile program as the most immediate strategic threat, and the destruction of these systems or their transfer to a verified third party. While there is no confirmation of how many of these Iran possesses, the estimate is that it stocks several thousand ballistic missiles. This poses another challenge regarding concealment and verification. Basically, even if Iran agrees to dismantle the ballistic missile program, it will be a major task to monitor that it actually happens.
At the same time, Iran’s ballistic missile program is not Washington’s only worry. Beyond missiles, the United States continues to push for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program. The expectation, according to various diplomatic signals, remains a complete prohibition of a nuclear program in any meaningful form. This includes both military and civilian tracks. Any narrowly defined civilian exception would require intrusive, continuous monitoring, including direct U.S. involvement in inspections.
Another point involves the termination of Iranian interference in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Tehran’s political, financial, and security penetration of Iraq since 2003 is now an explicit element of the negotiations. To this, the Iranians remain defiant, as they have propped up their man, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, to seek election again as prime minister — a direct challenge to Trump. The president responded by threatening to end U.S. support for Iraq over al-Maliki’s comeback bid; nonetheless, Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite political blocs have reaffirmed their backing for Maliki.
The Trump administration’s key demand is that Iran keep its hands off Iraq and stop supporting the Shiite fundamentalist militias it controls inside Iraq, mainly the notorious al-Hashed al-Shaabi — the Popular Mobilization militia, dubbed the “Shiite ISIS” by many Iraqis.
In this regard, the U.S. is going as far as creating sanctions specifically targeting Iraqi officials and entities linked to Iran, the IRGC, or affiliated militias. These include asset freezes, travel bans, and terrorism-related designations. Iraqi financial institutions that facilitate such networks are at risk of severe penalties, including exclusion from the SWIFT system, a measure that would effectively paralyze Iraq’s banking and trade operations.
Another stipulation relates to human and civil rights inside Iran, aligned with the demands of the Iranian people. This includes an immediate halt to the killing of protesters and dissidents, protection of basic civil liberties, and measurable improvements in human rights conditions.
While nuclear concerns remain important, ballistic missiles may now represent the more immediate operational worry for Washington. Nuclear capability signals potential future escalation. Should Iran reach the point where it possesses a nuclear bomb, it would likely understand that using it would be a Samson’s choice, as American and Israeli responses would mark the end of the Islamic Republic. Ballistic missiles, by contrast, cannot even be rated as weapons of mass destruction, yet they have empowered Iran with extended regional reach and leverage both in war and at the negotiating table.
One thing is certain: this administration appears firmly committed to clipping Iran’s wings. The fact that it is focusing heavily on ballistic missiles indicates that President Trump is focused on significantly curbing Iran’s might, which has been allowed to expand unquestioned by multiple U.S. administrations.
Mudar Adnan Zahran is a Jordanian Palestinian politician living in exile. He heads the Jordanian Opposition Coalition. He previously served as an economic specialist and assistant policy coordinator for the U.S. embassy in Amman. Zahran is a Ph.D. in political science — the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Taking this issue seriously, the problem we are all facing is similar to Israel’s problem, but with a different scope. While Israel correctly complains about Iran’s meddling in the middle east, what we are observing is China’s meddling in Iran and even in the USA. Indeed, the extent of their meddling is evident all over the world. And while this meddling is proceeding, almost unnoticed, we worry about the trade imbalance, the sale of wind and solar energy systems and the threats on Taiwan. Israel needs to chop off the head of the snake that is causing all this trouble, while USA is in the same situation regarding China and to some extent Russia. The Chinese and the Russians see eye to eye on a whole range of issues, the uppermost in their minds being Trump at this time. The inroads they previously made by infiltrating the deep state and local government are becoming more obvious daily, reversing this process is a mamoth task. Since the left feel that they stand to gain a lot without taking the consequences into account will simply accelerate their demise.
Does Trump have Khamanei confused with Qadaffi when he gave this speech in 2007? (four years before NATO, led by Obama and Hillary Clinton, overthrew him )
In speaking before an Arab Summit, Qadaffi implies the Pal cause is bogus and Israel has a right to demand billions or trillions in damages from the Arab nations for damages since 1948 and that they could have given the Pals states when Egypt had
Gaza and Jordan Judea and Samaria. He says,”the Jews let you have these territories for 20 years.” Stunning admission and turnaround. Clip from MEMRI posted by Israel Institute of New Zealand and shareable.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AXPFW7MJ1/
AI Overview:
“Muammar Gaddafi did not “switch sides” in the traditional sense during the 2011 Libyan uprising; rather, he was overthrown in 2011 after 42 years in power. However, he notably shifted foreign policy in 2003 by renouncing weapons of mass destruction, seeking reconciliation with Western nations, and focusing on pan-Africanism.
Key Details on 2011 “Switch”:
Rebellion Start: Inspired by the Arab Spring, protests against Gaddafi began in February 2011 in Benghazi.
Defections: Throughout the civil war, many of Gaddafi’s troops and high-ranking officials defected to the opposition.
Fall of Regime: NATO intervened to protect civilians in March 2011. Gaddafi was captured and killed on October 20, 2011, after rebels took Tripoli.
Historical Foreign Policy Shift:
From roughly 1999–2003, Gaddafi shifted from an anti-Western, revolutionary stance to one of rapprochement with the U.S. and Europe to escape sanctions.”
“SNL Transcripts: Bill Murray: 12/12/81: Tales of the Unlikely
Announcer: “Tales of the Unlikely”. Tonight’s episode: (Chapter Seven:) “The Libyan Menace”. In our last episode, the mighty Libyan fleet, lying in wait on our eastern coast, was scattered by freak winds and sent in humiliation back to Tripoli. The insane Colonel Kadaffi, vowing revenge, swore a mighty oath on “ABC News: Nightline” to take the living hearts of President Reagan, the joint chiefs of staff and Henry Hyde (Republican-Illinois) and feed them to the jackals. Meanwhile, at the White House, new intrigue brews.
[ dissolve to image of the White House ]…
“Tour Guide: Follow me, ladies and gentlemen… [ tour group follows her ] This is the White House lobby. I think you’ll agree that it CERTAINLY beats anything they have in, say, Libya! This is the Taft Table, and it’s named for our HEAVIEST president.
Tourist #1: Uh — I have a question. Uh — Who is our STUPIDEST president?
Tour Guide: President Ford! Any other questions?
Tourist #1: Have any of our presidents been, uh… insane?
Tour Guide: Oh! No, no… this isn’t Libya, where a certifiable MAD MAN is in power! Now, if you’ll step through the door, our next stop will be the Rose Garden! Right through here, please.
please.
[ the tourists exit into the next room, as a trio of Libyans surround the Tour Guide ]
Libyan #1: We have question.
Tour Guide: Yes?
Libyan #1: When does tour see President Reagan?
Tour Guide: I’m sorry?
Libyan #1: When does tour get so close to him you can reach out and touch his throat?
Libyan #2: Or maybe throw a knife at him, if one wanted to?
Libyan #3: Oh. Uh — we don’t. We wish to honor him.
Libyan #1: We are not hitting!
Tour Guide: Well, I’m sorry. The President is asleep. In fact, we should keep our voices down. Once he wakes up, we have a DEVIL of a time getting him back to bed! Now, if you’ll all follow me, we’ll see the White House Rose Garden.
Libyan #1: Of course.
Tour Guide: Stay to the left, please!
[ the Tour Guide exits ]
Libyan #2: Colonel Kadaffi will be MOST unpleased.
Libyan #3: Shall I release the cobra?
Libyan #1: Silence! There MUST be a way!
Libyan #2: I left the scorpions in the taxi cab.
Libyan #1: Shh! Wait! I have it!
[ Lead Libyan huddles around his terrorists and laughs maniacally ]
[ dissolve to Central Intelligence Agency, as agent Tom Bryant dips a fake flower lapel in poison ]
Doris: Uh, Mr. Bryant?
Tom Bryant: Yes?
Doris: Uh, there are three students here. Uh, they say they really are students, only they don’t have their I.D.’s because they say they left them on the bus. Could you talk to them, please?
Tom Bryant: Uh, yes. I’ll take care of it, Doris. Thank you. [ he approaches the counter ] Hello. Tom Bryant, Covert Operations.
Libyan #1: Hello. We are three students, although we appear too old to be.
Libyan #3: We are EXCHANGE students! Uh, from the Middle East.
Libyan #2: From the Middle East, but NOT from Libya!
Tom Bryant: Oh. Uh, well, what could the C.I.A. do for you?
Libyan #1: Uh — Well, we are writing a term paper for school on for school on Assassination of Presidents in Western Democracy.
Tom Bryant: Uh… I see.
Libyan #2: Uh, yes — and we are wondering about reference material.
Tom Bryant: Um… uh-huh?
Libyan #1: Well, we are not actually gonna do it late tonight, or maybe tomorrow afternoon.
Libyan #3: Just a paper, for school! Honestly!
Tom Bryant: Oh, I see! I see now! Well, uh, let’s take a look, we have some pamphlets and brochures that the agency has prepared. Uh, here’s one, let’s see… [ he grabs some pamphlets ] “Termination of Chief Executives: Dos and Don’ts.” Uhhh, oh! Here’s one, it’s called: “So You Want To Kill The President.” Now, will these help you at all?
Libyan #1: Yes, that is PERFECT!
Tom Bryant: [ chuckling ] Uh, but you understand we drew these up only in the unlikely event that there was a LUNATIC in office, like that NUTCASE they’ve got over in Libya!
[ the trio gives Bryant a dirty look ]
Libyan #2: We understand! Why should we be upset because of your attack on Kaddafi?
Libyan #3: Yes! Your tongue should NOT be cut out for your impudence!
Tom Bryant: Now, if you guys need anything else — because I’m telling you I do have some other things right over here… [ he reaches into his desk, as the Libyans collect all the other pamphlets from the rack ] Here we go, this is “Disposing of Weapons.” Yeah. And, oh, this is a favorite of mine, it’s always been. It’s called “Intimidation of Investigative Committees.”
Libyan #1: No. No, thank you very much. This will do it!
Tom Bryant: Oh, okay, guys! Good luck on your report, alright?
[ the Libyans exit ]
Tom Bryant: Oh, uh, Doris?
Doris: Yes, Mr. Bryant?
Tom Bryant: Did you get all those papers shredded that I asked you to do?
Doris: Uh, yes, Mr. Bryant. Countersigned and shredded.
Tom Bryant: Oh, great to hear that, that’s wonderful.
Doris: Oh, I wanted to show you… [ she opens up the latest issue of Newsweek, with Kaddafi on the cover ]
Tom Bryant: Oh, I was looking at that before! Did you see that right here?
[ dissolve to the White House — night ]
[ dissolve to the lobby, as a doorbell rings ]
[ Richard Allen enters and looks around ]
Richard Allen: Julius? Could you get that? Rosemary? Never mind, dammit! I’ll get it myself! Yeah, I’m coming, I’m coming!
[ he answers the door to the Libyans dressed as the Magi ]
Libyan #1: Can we come in? We are three kings from Orient, although we look too young to be!
Libyan #3: Yes! Bearing gifts. We travel afar.
Libyan #2: But NOT from Libya!
Richard Allen: I see, I see…
Libyan #1: Are you the butler?
Richard Allen: [ chuckling ] No, no, no, no. You see, the staff is evidently off tonight, being Christmas Eve and all. I’m Richard Allen, the National Secueity Advisor. Yes. I was just coming in to clean out my desk — and a few of the others!
Libyan #3: Well… is the President at home?
Richard Allen: Well, yes, he is. But he’s sound asleep right now.
Libyan #1: We understand he likes expensive gifts.
Richard Allen: Well… don’t we all?
Libyan #1: We bring him marvelous presents! We have a great present here, to be opened only by him — or when he is nearby.
Richard Allen: I see. Well, it’s rather heavy, isn’t it? What did you get him?
Libyan #1: Uh… gold!
Libyan #2: Frankencense!
Libyan #3: And LADY Frankencense! For Mrs. Reagan!
Richard Allen: I see. [ he grabs the first box ] This is the gold one, isn’t it?
Libyan #1: Yes, yes, yes!
Richard Allen: Ah, well… Well, why don’t I just take all of these, and I’ll put these in the safe — uh, the “file drawers”, I like to call them — and I’ll make sure the President gets them in the morning.
Libyan #2: We beg of you — These are only to be opened by the President, only!
Richard Allen: Well, I may tend to forget, but I’ll make sure he gets them first thing in the morning!
Libyan #1: Thank you, thank you very much!
Libyan #2: Merry Christmas!
Libyan #1: Merry, Merry Christmas!
Richard Allen: Bye!
[ after the Libyans leave, Allen reaches for the present of “gold” and carries into the next room. Suddenly, there’s an explosion, the doors burst open and smoke billows out. ]
[ the Libyans rush back into the lobby ]
Libyan #1: Oh, no! Colonel Kaddafi will be MOST displeased.
[ newspaper headline appears onscreen:
“ALLEN FOILS ASSASSINATION PLOT
President To Be Woken, Told” ]
Announcer: …So the President slumbers innocently by, unaware of the danger that surrounds him. But there is no rest for wicked as, elsewhere in the world, America’s enemies plot further treachery. Join us next week for Chapter Eight: “It Came From El Salvador.” On… “Tales of the Unlikely.”
[ fade ]”
https://snltranscripts.jt.org/81/81hunlikely.phtml
Only script available. One of SNL’s all-time funniest sketches but I suppose the Dems are too embarassed to show it.
https://snltranscripts.jt.org/81/81hunlikely.phtml