During arms control negotiations with Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan used the words "trust, but verify."

Now, as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry continues negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program, Reagan's strategy needs to be front and center.March 31 is seen as the date for a final agreement with Iran, but announcing a deadline just plays into the hands of Islamic extremists, who are never governed by a calendar or time clock.There are very good reasons to be suspicious of any deal forged with the Iranians.Many, including former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and others within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, believe that war will bring on the "End of Days," ushering in the Mahdi, or "Hidden Imam," a distant descendant of Muhammad.After that, they believe there will be universal peace.Regarding the question of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, Professor Bernard Lewis, considered the West's leading historian and interpreter of the Middle East, stated six years ago that while most in the Iranian leadership felt a mutual assured destruction agreement would work as a deterrent, Ahmadinejad and his group did not consider it a deterrent, but an inducement.Since this apocalyptic mindset devalues human life, Iran's human rights record is the worst in the world. Any opposition, including propaganda against the system, that offends government leaders is dealt with through executions. According to a U.N. report, at least 753 people, including 25 women and 13 minors, were executed in Iran last year alone, a 12-year-high.There has been the constant stream of genocidal threats made by major Iranian politicians over the years, with Israel and the U.S. the prime targets.The latest came just a few weeks ago when Hassan Rohani, Iran's Foreign Minister, described Iran's diplomacy with the U.S. as an "active jihad."Even as they continue with talks, Iran remains focused on destabilizing the Middle East. It continues to supply radical terrorist groups.Last year, Reuters reported that Iran has invested $30 billion in Hezbollah alone over the past 30 years.Compared to Ahmadinejad, President Hassan Rohani is seen as a moderate and a reformer, but don't be deceived. He has long been a staunch supporter of his country's nuclear program.According to Foreign Policy magazine, former arms control expert Gary Samore said everybody understands the supreme leader is seeking nuclear weapons and nobody is fooled by Iran's charm offensive.No matter how many times Rohani smiles, he said it doesn't change Iran's basic objective.Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently called for "Death to America."If Kerry is willing to take the Iranian negotiators at their word on nuclear weapons, shouldn't we also expect to take the Iranian leader at his word?By JIM ZBICKtneditor@tnonline.com