Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg has called on the United States to overhaul its negotiating team for talks with Iran, arguing that wartime diplomacy should be led by experienced national security professionals rather than traditional dealmakers.
Speaking during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) co-chair said the conflict had entered a new phase that required a different U.S. strategy.
Kellogg maintained that negotiations conducted during an active military conflict should be handled by officials with extensive experience in security and conflict management, rather than individuals whose expertise lies outside strategic affairs.
“There are about five things we ought to be doing right now because the war has changed, particularly in Iran. On negotiations, we need to change our negotiation team. We do not need real estate guys talking about negotiations in the middle of a war. When we do bring in negotiators, they ought to be real hard-core people on the ground. I don’t think we have that right now,” he said.
According to Kellogg, adapting the negotiating strategy is essential to addressing the realities of the ongoing conflict and improving the effectiveness of future diplomatic efforts.
