Peloni: Iran moves to resume negotiations with US as they recognize that their days are numbered. Instead of acquiescing to such obvious bad faith offers by Iran to abandon its dreams of creating a nuclear holocaust, the US and Israel should continue to lay the ground work for regime change in Iran. Promoting mixed messages such as supporting the Iranian people while also agreeing to allow the Iranian Mullahs to remain in power is both unfair to the Iranian protesters while also emboldening the regime leaders to maintain power. Instead, both the Iranian people and the Iranian leadership should be made to understand that the days of the Mullah’s rule are numbered. As was true in 1945 when the falling regimes of both Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan each made inquiries regarding what terms might be offered to end the war, they were informed that Unconditional Surrender was the only terms possible, a policy agreed to early in the war by the Allies and maintained thru the end of that war. Shortly thereafter, in each theater of operations, they each surrendered unconditionally. Iran is in a far weaker position than either the powerfully militarized nations of Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan, and they deserve no better terms than Unconditional Surrender. Such a policy will also garner greater support among the Iranian people who have been abandoned by the West over the past nearly fifty years. Ending the rule of the Iranian terror regime and freeing the Iranian people should be an agreed upon objectives of the West in this war.
FDD | June 15, 2025
Latest Developments
- Iran Asked Qatar, Oman to Mediate With the U.S.: Amidst ongoing Israeli strikes in Iran, Tehran approached Qatar and Oman, requesting their diplomatic services. According to June 15 reports, Iran’s leadership wants Doha and Muscat to work with Washington to broker calm and revive nuclear negotiations. Saudi Arabia is also reportedly working behind the scenes on its own diplomatic effort.
- Sixth Round of Nuclear Talks Canceled: A sixth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran was scheduled to take place in Oman on June 15. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed that the talks had been canceled. An unnamed senior American diplomat told Israeli media that the Iranians “either failed to understand or deliberately ignored [President Trump’s] warnings,” adding that “they tried to stall through negotiations” and “refused to compromise on the most basic issue that could have proven their claim they are not seeking a bomb, halting uranium enrichment on Iranian soil.”
- Trump Administration Open to Talks: On June 15, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “Iran and Israel should make a deal and will make a deal.” However, the White House did not clarify how the Trump administration is progressing toward that goal. A senior administration official said on June 14 that Washington is “committed to the talks and hope[s] that the Iranians will come to the negotiating table soon,” emphasizing that Iran must agree to fully halt its enrichment activities.
FDD Expert Response
“After three days of crippling Israeli strikes, Iran dialed Qatar to appeal for help. Consider this Tehran’s phone a friend. Over the years, Qatar has supported the Islamic Republic by enabling its terror proxies, namely Hamas, helping the regime withstand economic pressure, and allegedly even sending funds to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It was a mistake to trust Qatar to mediate with Hamas, and it would be a mistake two times over to trust Doha to mediate with Tehran.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst
“Oman is no neutral actor — it’s Tehran’s strategic partner, a host and an enabler of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have conducted daily attacks on Israel. This is not a broker that can be trusted to mediate between Israel and Iran.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst
FDD Background and Analysis
“9 Myths About Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program,” by Andrea Stricker
“Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament: The Only Deal that Protects U.S. Allied Security,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu
“U.S. Must Pressure Qatar Not to Release Frozen Iranian Oil Revenues,” by Natalie Ecanow and Janatan Sayeh
“Oman is Supporting the Houthis: It Should Be Held to Account,” by Jonathan Schanzer and Ahmad Sharawi
“‘Not Conclusive’: Iran and U.S. Hold New Round of Nuclear Talks Rome,” FDD Flash Brief
Reviving nuclear negotiations at this point is too little, too late! Per Peloni, the Iranian regime should be informed in no uncertain terms that Unconditional Surrender and Regime Change are the only available options (if the ruling mullahs want to save their own skins that is).