I wouldn’t be shocked that if the West were ever able to mount genuine diplomatic pressure against Iran, the ruling council would simply cashier the lunatic, and the West would see that gesture as one of “moderation,” “reason” and “outreach.” Instead of seeing it as a gimmick, a mere shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic. The lunatic could resign tomorrow, and the situation wouldn’t be any the less dangerous.

And that’s because it’s the ruling council and the whole regime that’s the problem.