Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high following Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month.
President Donald Trump has threatened the U.S. might use force against Iran in response to its crackdown on protesters. That threat has compelled Iran to negotiate and talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled to take place today (Friday) in Oman.
Retired Navy Commander Kirk Lippold commanded the USS Cole when it was attacked by terrorists in 2000.
"The Iranians cannot be trusted. This is going to be worse than dealing with the Soviets and the Russians. It's not just, ‘Trust but verify’ but it is trust with eyes on the ground with absolute certainty that they are in compliance, and we get access to the full breadth of everything related to their nuclear program which they're not going to want to do."
In addition to Iran’s nuclear program and murderous response to unrest in its streets, its funding of terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah is expected to be discussed.
Iran’s foreign minister has said Iran won’t accept any “dictation” from the U.S. over the issues to discuss.
The meeting comes as an Iranian drone was shot down by a U.S. military jet after it approached aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this week.
Also, a U.S.-flagged commercial tanker was also harassed by Iranian gunboats at almost the same time.
In spite of the challenges, Lippold believes the U.S. must negotiate in order to show it exhausted all possible avenues of resolution before air strikes.
“Because negotiating indicates to the world legitimacy should you have to follow through with military strikes because the Iranian regime will not negotiate in good faith. If we give them every opportunity, and they still do not comply then we have a legitimate right for our national security and the security of the world quite frankly to conduct military strikes."
