The quickest way to end the Iran war is to resume hostilities. The mullahs running Iran still think they can emerge victorious. To them, survival would be a resounding win. These fanatics care not a whit for the well-being of Iranians. If they’re still in power when the war ends, they will revert to their evil ways, regardless of any agreements made.

In repeatedly calling for a deal, the U.S. has given our adversaries and allies the impression that we badly need the war to end because of global and domestic political pressures; the spike in oil prices and the shortage of available oil are exacting an increasing toll on economies everywhere. However, it’s not just energy that’s affected. The adverse impact on fertilizer is hitting the cost and the supply of food, particularly in poorer countries.

The U.S. made a huge error in enacting a premature ceasefire. The U.S. and Israel needed two more weeks of operations to hit all of the intended targets. The untimely cessation of hostilities led the murdering mullahs to think they could wait us out, despite the terrible damage inflicted on Iran.

It can’t be said enough: We’re not dealing with rational people here. Given this grim reality, the course of action is clear. No more negotiations with this government, whether face-to-face or by telephone. Continue and tighten the blockade. Seize the known bank accounts of Iranian officials, especially those in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). And, very critically, resume the bombing and take out all of the intended targets.

Only through these measures will this awful regime be removed by disaffected parts of the army, which has not been totally infested with extremists. We, and certainly the Israelis, are probably in touch with disaffected individuals in the army. But they won’t move unless they’re totally sure we won’t abandon them.

Our record here is anything but reassuring. We refused to back the major 2009 uprising. Instead, President Obama made it clear that he wanted to deal with the mullahs. Earlier this year, we urged Iranians to take to the streets, that we had their backs. But when they did, we didn’t immediately attack the regime.

In recent weeks, our constant efforts to deal with the regime means it could survive and be in a position to punish those who opposed it. We must make it crystal clear that the regime is going, that the IRGC and its local security forces will be eliminated and that a new government will take over.

Regime opponents in the armed forces will only take the necessary action if they are confident that we won’t betray them.