Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Venezuela
    • China
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Iran / A Less Maximalist Approach To Get a Deal With Iran
Iran, Middle East, Nuclear weapons

April 30, 2025

A Less Maximalist Approach To Get a Deal With Iran

By William Walldorf

The United States and Iran are engaged in a new round of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. This is good for the United States. Settling the proliferation issue and reducing tensions with Iran in general is important to create the conditions necessary for the U.S. to make a long-overdue pivot from the Middle East to Asia, a top priority for Trump as it was for his predecessors.

The big issue now is whether the Trump administration can effectively pull it off. To that end, the main hurdle facing the administration might be itself.

There’s a battle inside the Trump administration between those with reasonable ideas about stopping Iranian proliferation through diplomacy and others pressing maximalist demands likely to kill a deal and increase hostility. President Trump needs to keep siding with the reasonable voices and follow his dealmaking instincts.

Read at RealClearWorld

Author

Photo of Will Walldorf

William
Walldorf

Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

There is no ceasefire in Gaza

By Alexander Langlois

October 31, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

How Trump can avoid ‘owning’ Gaza

By William Walldorf

October 28, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Grand strategy, Israel, Israel‑Hamas

Now is not the time for new U.S. commitments to the Middle East

By William Walldorf

October 21, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Iran, Middle East

Did decisive U.S. action restore deterrence—or has Washington simply been lucky?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

October 16, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Daniel Davis assesses the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal on NewsNation

Featuring Daniel Davis

October 15, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Israel, Israel‑Hamas

Donald Trump declares a new dawn in the Middle East. The reality is a little more complicated.

By Daniel DePetris

October 14, 2025

Events on Iran

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualHouthis, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

March 28, 2024
virtualMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Israel‑Iran, Syria, Yemen

Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East

January 16, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved