As one keeping up with the US-Iranian nuclear negotiations, I’m becoming more and more concerned with each passing day as Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, negotiates with Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. Here are some reasons for concern:

• The Iranians are master negotiators, often using deception (as they did with Obama’s negotiating team) to convince others they will abide by agreements. They immediately disregarded key portions of the infamous JCPOA and refused from the get-go to allow the IAEA to inspect their nuclear facilities, despite agreeing to it. There is a baseball/softball adage that says, “Don’t lose the championship game with your second-best pitcher.” Steve Witkoff is second string.
• Iranian leaders are incredibly patient. They are also experts at dragging out negotiations, maintaining a favorable status quo until a capable American president or other world leader leaves office. They are doing so now, knowing they only have to outlast the Trump administration for less than 4 years.
• Cracks in the armor of Trump’s team are showing quickly and vividly, and Iranians are great manipulators of weakness. Members of the National Security team are on different pages. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Central Command General Michael Kurilla, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio seem to favor a hardline position on Iran while Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Middle East Envoy (and chief negotiator) Steve Witkoff, and White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles lean more heavily dovish on Iran. You can bet Iran will exploit the split by attempting backdoor methods to influence the doves to hold the line and others to join them.
• The recent “SignalGate leaks” and other negative press for Hegseth and Waltz are significant distractions and do not boost their effectiveness. We need clarity of thought and input to the President and, at least for now, their leadership seems to be tarnished, if not diminished as they fight their own battles.
• Steve Witkoff may well be the wrong person for the negotiating task. First, I question his understanding of the importance of standing with Israel. Does he fully realize the existential threat Iran poses both directly and through well-funded proxy groups? Secondly, he is a businessman who leaned on Qatari allies to help him through a real estate deal. Is he beholden to Iranian-friendly Qataris? If he is compromised, it does not bode well for American or Israeli security.
• Unlike the brutal sanctions Trump imposed on Iran in 2018, such sanctions will likely not be enough this time around. Russia and China are now buying up Iranian oil and could keep Iran afloat for the duration of the Trump presidency. Had the sanctions been maintained after Trump left office in 2021, perhaps the Iranian regime would have been taken down. But there is not enough time, nor would Russia and China allow a collapse of the Iranian regime at this point.
• We’re blowing through the perfect season to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Last year, Israel destroyed Iran’s air defenses, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Iran’s largest terror proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Islamic Jihad) are on their heels after being hammered by Israel and the US. But soon, Russia and China will re-supply Iran with air defense systems and, short of cutting off all financial resources, Iran will continue funding terror proxies so they can attack Israel once again.

Israel’s mind is made up, but the US must decide: Is a nuclear “slowdown” enough to keep Israel (and ultimately the US) safe, or must Iran’s nuclear capabilities be totally destroyed? Dragging out negotiations will only serve Tehran’s interest of running out the clock. Also, history is not on the side of negotiation when it comes to Iran’s commitment to agreements. If negotiations continue, they must have a well-defined set of criteria (including complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capabilities…something they will never agree to), and a definite and short-term length of negotiation.

Granted, the US has not done well in Middle East conflicts, and I am very much opposed to past ideas of “bringing democracy” to an area where it is not possible. I am not in favor of sending American troops into Iran. What does seem most logical is to allow Israel to do what Israel already knows it must…and back them with whatever military equipment they need. They are capable (and willing) to do the job with American backing.

Iran CANNOT keep a nuclear program and Israel not be threatened. Throughout Israel’s history since their rebirth, Iranian leaders have said loud and repeatedly that their goal is to wipe Israel from the map…and they mean it. How can the US justify negotiating with a regime whose stated purpose is to destroy Israel?

Finally, it is important to know that this is a spiritual battle, not a geopolitical one. Shia Islam, embedded in Iranian leadership, dictates that they destroy the infidels (those who do not adhere to their flavor of Islam). Israel is outwardly dubbed “the little Satan,” while the US is proclaimed “the great Satan.” A nation cannot successfully negotiate on a geopolitical platform when the issue is a spiritual one.

Yet the Trump administration seems to be failing to discern the difference.

Pray for wisdom. Perhaps Trump is “setting the stage” to make a move, while sending Witkoff out to decoy. Perhaps conflict in the administration is a smokescreen. Perhaps we will see America take the lead in demolishing Iran’s ability to destroy Israel.

But it doesn’t look that way, and ultimately, based on Scripture, Israel WILL stand alone. May it not be on our watch.

UPDATE:  Soon after this post, President Trump indicated on social media that he has just spoken to Netanyahu and they are “on the same page on every issue.” Netanyahu’s response: “Thank you, Mr President.”

While that provides some degree of relief, the internal division and potentially the wrong guy heading up America’s negotiations continues to be a concern.  The window could close quickly, particularly given Russia’s cooperation agreement with Iran yesterday. 

Pray for clarity and wisdom. Israel and the US must get this right. May the Lord lead them , and may they follow only His direction.