Trump Says Ending Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal Stopped Tehran From Getting Nuclear Weapon

US President Donald Trump has defended his 2018 decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement, saying the move prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon years ago. His remarks come amid the ongoing military conflict between Iran and the joint US-Israeli alliance in the Middle East.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote that if he had not terminated what he described as the “horrendous Iran Nuclear Deal,” Iran would have possessed a nuclear weapon by now. He referred to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark agreement negotiated during the presidency of Barack Obama.

What Was the Iran Nuclear Deal?

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, finalised in 2015, placed strict limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and nuclear facilities. In exchange, international sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted, allowing the country greater access to global markets.

The agreement included monitoring mechanisms by international inspectors to ensure compliance. However, Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018, calling it flawed and overly generous to Tehran.

He has consistently argued that the deal failed to permanently block Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon and did not adequately address ballistic missile development or regional activities.

Trump’s Argument

In his latest remarks, Trump described the JCPOA as “the most dangerous transaction” the United States had entered into. He claimed that ending the agreement restored leverage over Iran and halted what he sees as a rapid path toward nuclear capability.

Trump also criticised former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, blaming their policies for enabling Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The White House has stated that current military operations aim to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, weaken its naval assets and block any potential path to nuclear weapon development.

Critics Raise Concerns

Opponents of Trump’s withdrawal argue that scrapping the agreement removed international oversight that had limited Iran’s nuclear activities. After the US exit, Iran gradually expanded its uranium enrichment levels, raising global concerns.

Tehran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for civilian energy purposes.

Conflict Escalates

The remarks come as the Middle East conflict continues to intensify. US and Israeli forces have carried out coordinated strikes inside Iran, while Tehran has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting American bases and regional allies.

According to estimates, hundreds have been killed across the region since the escalation began. The crisis has also disrupted global aviation routes and raised energy market volatility, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

As tensions remain high, Trump has indicated that operations could continue for weeks if necessary, signalling no immediate shift toward diplomacy.