John,
Your argument is very logical and it has worked(Negotiations) with many adversaries.
If only logic applied to the mullahs then there would be a way out. However you are missing the point,a nuclear capable Iran will threaten the livelihood of the West and create so much uncertainty and insecurity which will cause major imbalance in the world’s economy .America’s economy is the target here and that’s exactly why they have got the U.S. forces bugged down in Iraq. After the invasion of Iraq,the guards did an analysis of the cost and the effect on the oil prices and based their strategy on that and not only started the attacks on the U.S. forces (Basra and Najaf is in their pocket) but also speed up their Nuclear project knowing it will be very difficult for the U.S. to act.
This is what the Supreme leader Ali Khamenei said about Imad Mughniyeh ,the master mind terrorist working with Iranian Quds forces:
The martyrdom of our mujahid, devoted and selfless brother haj Imad Moghniah was a great victory and prosperous end for him and is a source of honor for the Lebanese nation …
The crime-ridden and bloodthirsty Zionists must know that the holy blood of martyrs like Imad Moghniah create thousands of other Moghniahs, and this doubles the force of resistance against oppression, corruption and insurgency.
May Allah bestow Paradise on him and on all mujahidin who strive for the sake of righteousness.
And more from the Supreme leader:
“this cancerous tumor of a state Israel should be removed from the region.”
