Should the US use diplomacy or maximum pressure to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons?

Context

The debate over Iran's nuclear program centers on whether the US should pursue diplomatic negotiations or economic and military pressure to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This question has shaped US-Middle East policy for decades, with advocates of diplomacy pointing to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) as proof negotiations can work, while pressure advocates argue only credible military threats force Iranian compliance. The stakes are high: a nuclear-armed Iran could destabilize the region, trigger an arms race, and complicate US security commitments to Israel and Gulf allies.