Jonathan Gilliam, a former FBI special agent, recently spoke out about Iran’s aggressive actions and the need for a strong U.S. response. He argued that Iran doesn’t respect diplomacy or peaceful negotiations. Gilliam stressed that force is the only language Tehran understands, pointing to decades of failed talks and broken promises. His comments come after a deadly drone attack by Iran-backed militants killed three American soldiers in Jordan and injured dozens more.
Gilliam praised President Donald Trump’s decision to order strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are funded and armed by Iran. He said Trump’s actions sent a clear message to Tehran that America won’t tolerate attacks on its troops. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted international shipping lanes and U.S. allies in the region. Critics of the Biden administration claim weak leadership has emboldened Iran to escalate violence across the Middle East.
The 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, brokered by the Obama administration, was supposed to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. But experts like Gilliam say it only delayed Iran’s path to nuclear weapons while giving them billions in sanctions relief. Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike expressed concerns at the time that the deal lacked strong safeguards. Now, Iran is closer than ever to building a bomb, and its proxies threaten Israel and global stability.
Conservatives argue that America’s enemies see soft diplomacy as a sign of weakness. When the U.S. hesitates to act decisively, regimes like Iran push harder. The recent attacks on U.S. troops prove that half-measures and empty warnings don’t work. Strong military responses, like Trump’s strikes, disrupt enemy plans and protect American lives.
Liberals often claim military action risks starting a wider war. But Gilliam counters that failing to confront Iran has already led to more bloodshed. From Yemen to Iraq, Iranian-backed militias test U.S. resolve daily. If America shows strength, these groups back down. If America hesitates, they strike again. The choice isn’t between war and peace—it’s between victory and surrender.
The Biden administration’s approach of restarting nuclear talks has yielded nothing. Iran continues enriching uranium while funding terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Russia and China grow closer to Tehran, undermining American influence in the region. Conservatives say it’s time to abandon failed policies and restore deterrence through overwhelming force.
Some Democrats in Congress now admit the nuclear deal was flawed. They worry Iran will dominate the Middle East if left unchecked. Bipartisan support is growing for tougher sanctions and military aid to Israel. But many on the right argue talk alone won’t stop a regime that chants “Death to America” and hangs gay people in public squares.
The lesson is clear: Weakness invites aggression. For decades, U.S. leaders tried to negotiate with Iran, only to be betrayed. Trump’s strikes on the Houthis and the 2020 elimination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani showed decisive force works. Until Iran fears retaliation, it will keep killing Americans and destabilizing the world. Peace through strength isn’t just a slogan—it’s the only strategy that keeps America safe.
