Florida’s Ron DeSantis just threw a wrench into Trump’s Iran nuclear talks, calling them a dangerous gamble with a regime he deems untrustworthy.
The New York Post reported that Governor DeSantis voiced deep skepticism about President Trump’s negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, warning that trusting Tehran’s theocratic leaders is a fool’s errand, while Trump’s diplomatic push has sparked tensions with Israel and unease among Middle Eastern allies.
Back in 2018, Trump boldly exited the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, branding it a weak deal that failed to curb Iran’s ambitions.
Fast forward to 2025, and he’s penning letters to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promising a swift resolution to the nuclear standoff. Optimism or overreach? Time will tell.
DeSantis, a fierce Israel advocate, isn’t buying Iran’s good-faith act. “I don’t see them as being good faith actors,” he told radio host Mark Levin, slamming the idea of letting Iran enrich uranium under any circumstances. His point? A regime dreaming of paradise through mutual destruction isn’t your average negotiating partner.
Iran’s not just a nuclear worry—it’s a terror-funding machine, fueling chaos across the Middle East. DeSantis argues that treating Iran like a normal nation is a recipe for disaster. Negotiating with a regime that sees apocalypse as a win? Good luck with that.
Trump, meanwhile, hasn’t ruled out military action if Iran crosses the nuclear line. Experts warn that an Iranian bomb could spark a regional arms race, with catastrophic ripple effects. DeSantis’s skepticism seems rooted in this high-stakes reality.
Trump’s talks have ruffled feathers in Israel, a nation dead-set against a nuclear-armed Iran. On Wednesday, Trump admitted to reporters he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking Iran’s nuclear sites, saying it’d derail a potential deal. “Very close to a solution,” Trump claimed—bold words for a delicate dance.
Israel’s not alone in its unease. During Trump’s May 2025 Middle East tour, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE voiced opposition to attacks on Iran’s facilities. With U.S. bases dotting their lands, they fear Iran’s retaliation could hit too close to home.
DeSantis, ever the Israel champion, ties the nation’s importance to the roots of Western civilization itself. “You could trace back the history of Western civilization back to the ancient state of Israel,” he said, linking Judaism and Christianity’s origins to America’s foundation. It’s a heartfelt nod, but does it clash with Trump’s broader strategy?
In March 2025, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the Senate Iran hasn’t pursued a nuclear weapon since 2003, per Ayatollah Khamenei’s orders. That’s a reassuring claim, but DeSantis isn’t convinced Iran’s playing nice. Trusting a regime with a track record of terror sponsorship feels like betting the farm on a shaky hand.
Trump’s letter to Khamenei earlier this year signaled hope for a quick fix, but DeSantis sees it as naive. A theocratic regime, he argues, doesn’t negotiate like a rational state—it’s driven by ideology, not pragmatism. His warning? Don’t let Iran’s sweet talk fool you.
DeSantis’s blunt take—“they cannot be allowed to enrich uranium, period”—cuts through diplomatic niceties. He’s not just questioning Trump’s tactics; he’s challenging the wisdom of engaging Iran at all. For a governor with his eyes on America’s security, it’s a line in the sand.
Trump’s push for a deal has put him at odds with allies who see Iran as an existential threat. Telling Netanyahu to hold off on strikes shows confidence in diplomacy, but it risks alienating a key partner. Actions, as they say, have consequences.
Middle Eastern leaders, wary of Iran’s reach, are stuck between supporting Trump’s talks and bracing for blowback. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE want peace but know Iran’s retaliation could target their U.S.-hosted bases. It’s a tightrope, and Trump’s balancing act isn’t calming nerves.
