Opinion

AMB GORDON SONDLAND: The West can't let Iran turn Trump's pause into another nuclear-powered dodge

Tehran's fragmented power structure is designed for rope-a-dope diplomacy, and only overwhelming force changes the calculus

By Gordon Sondland Fox News

Published May 7, 2026 6:00am EDT

Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google

close

Video

Bret Baier details call with Trump about US-Iran talks

Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier discusses his call with President Donald Trump on U.S.-Iran talks and concerns about oil prices on ‘America Reports.’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

I don’t want a war. No sane person does. Americans are exhausted by endless conflict in the Middle East, and our allies are equally weary of instability, terrorism, energy shocks and perpetual brinkmanship. Gulf nations want investment and commerce, not drones and missiles targeting infrastructure. Israel would obviously prefer lasting security to another generation spent in shelters. Even ordinary Iranians, trapped between economic misery and ideological extremism, would likely choose prosperity over permanent confrontation with the West.

But we are also at a historic inflection point, and pretending otherwise is dangerous.

President Donald Trump deserves credit for understanding something many Western leaders never fully grasp: diplomacy without leverage is just performance art. The only reason Iran is seriously negotiating today is because the regime believes the United States and its allies are finally prepared to impose overwhelming consequences if diplomacy fails. Military pressure and diplomacy are not contradictory tools. In situations like this, military leverage is what makes diplomacy possible.

That is why I was encouraged to see the president pause "Operation Freedom" and give negotiations additional time. Responsible leaders should always test whether peace can be achieved before conflict escalates further. But anyone who believes Tehran’s leadership suddenly transformed into a trustworthy negotiating partner overnight has not been paying attention for the last forty years.

EXPERTS WARN IRAN’S NUCLEAR DOUBLE-TALK DESIGNED TO BUY TIME, UNDERMINE US PRESSURE

We have seen this movie repeatedly. The international community negotiates elaborate frameworks with Tehran, celebrates diplomatic "breakthroughs" and convinces itself that moderation has........

© Fox News