After Henry Kissinger and Condoleezza Rice, few names in contemporary American diplomacy command as much respect among Iranians as Secretary of State Marco Rubio. From my student years in security studies through my field research on Islamic terrorism in the Middle East, I have followed his words and speeches, and have had the privilege of attending two or three of them.

Without exaggeration, Rubio understands both the “book of the Shiite mullah” and Iran’s history — two qualities that give him a distinctive, respected voice in the White House. He knows that negotiating with Islamic terrorists leaves a “brand of disgrace” and a “stain of shame” on history. He also understands the Iranian regime for what it is: an Islamic Caliphate of Velayat-e Faqih, the religious dictatorship of a Shiite mullah who, like the Nazis, considers himself superior and society to be his servants, sheep, and slaves.