In Helsinki, the U.S.S.R. was obligated to commit itself to adjusting its internal practices. In any potential talks between Iran and the U.S., human rights should be included. The Islamic Republic’s access to international markets should be contingent on its improved treatment of its citizens. The Soviet Union didn’t get a pass. Iran’s mullahs shouldn’t either.—Ray Takeyh

Iran had shipped nearly its entire fissionable stockpile, over 12 tons of enriched uranium, to Russia last month. Iran mothballed thousands of centrifuges necessary to enrich uranium for an atomic bomb. And Iran removed the core of its heavy water reactor at Arak, and filled it with concrete. That reactor could have produced plutonium for the other type of atomic bomb.—James Conca

Regrettably, Mr. Trump is more likely to escalate the pressure on Iran to salvage a flawed policy rather than accept the political costs of a course correction — a blunder that will drive Iran to join the nuclear club.—John J. Mearsheimer