Ultimately No Compromise

Religious zealots can't be bargained with, because they are not merely fighting for territory, wealth, or power, but because God (the Lord of their perception) commands them to do so. The United States was never going to be able to make a "deal" with the Islamic Republic, because the mullahs that oppress Iran are Islamist fanatics, who would rather see Iran wiped out than give up their ambition of a worldwide Shiite caliphate.