The Obama administration's decision to negotiate with Tehran triggered near hysteria among U.S. politicians and pundits who advocate perpetual war in the Middle East. One complaint is that the talks failed to address Iran's malign regional role.
These critics denounced Tehran's imperial ambitions. For instance, the ever-hawkish Foreign Policy Initiative insisted that "Iran's drive to dominate the region has been years in the making." The group warned of Sanaa, Yemen becoming "the fourth Arab capital to fall under the sway of Tehran."
However, if Mideast domination is Iran's long-term priority, Tehran has accomplished little. Most governments in the region oppose the Islamic regime and America has far more influence.