Staff Reports
Keith Kellogg told Fox News this week what many Americans already suspect: the United States is sending the wrong people to negotiate with Iran. He blasted the current U.S. delegation as “real estate guys” and called for a tougher, more experienced team. That blunt pitch matters because these talks are not a ribbon-cutting or a property deal — they are negotiations at a time of war and risk.
Kellogg’s charge: replace the “real estate guys” negotiating team
On America Reports, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg said plainly that we don’t need business people leading diplomacy while the region burns. He pointed to Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff — both with private-sector backgrounds — as examples of the kind of hires that worry national security pros. Kellogg recommended bringing in a “hardcore” negotiator, even name-checking Gen. Jack Keane as the sort of person who can stand firm and get results.
Why the negotiating team is the story, not the spin
This is not a picky inside-baseball fight. Iran talks are about uranium, verification, sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and whether Tehran armed proxies get a free pass. Who speaks for America shapes what concessions are on the table and how Iran reads our resolve. Sending envoys who look more at balance sheets than battlefield signals sends the wrong message to Tehran and our allies.
Bring in pros who understand war and diplomacy
If you want deals that keep America safe, send negotiators with real experience — career diplomats, seasoned national security hands, or retired generals who know what deterrence means. The job is not about closing fast; it’s about not getting played. Kellogg’s point is simple: tough, credentialed negotiators register with both friend and foe. If the White House wants credibility, it needs people who carry it.
President Donald Trump’s team must answer this critique. The country deserves clarity on who leads these talks and why those people were chosen. Call it accountability, call it common sense — either way, trade shows and real estate portfolios should not be the resume card we hand to Iran when the stakes are national security. If the White House wants to avoid criticism, it can start by swapping a few suits for people who’ve actually faced danger and won.
