Trump's Talks With Iran Are Risky. Here's Why They Beat Attempts at Regime Change

In this opinion piece, Ariel E. Levite argues that while President Donald Trump’s effort to reopen negotiations with Iran’s leadership carries significant strategic and diplomatic risks, it represents a more responsible path than pursuing regime change, which could provoke chaos and broader regional conflict. Levite suggests that structured diplomatic engagement—despite deep mistrust and Iran’s reluctance—is preferable because coercive efforts to overthrow the government or force a rupture would likely destabilize the Middle East further and undermine both U.S. and international security interests. He further contends that talks, flawed as they may be, offer a constrained framework to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic military escalation.