President Donald Trump appeared on Fox & Friends and quickly turned the conversation toward former President Barack Obama, blaming him for many of the problems the United States is now facing with Iran.
Just over a minute into the interview, Trump was asked about Iran’s recent move to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and gas. Instead of focusing only on the current situation, Trump argued that the crisis was the result of decisions made by previous administrations, especially under Barack Obama.
Trump claimed that of all the presidents over the past 47 years, Obama had done the most damage when it came to dealing with Iran. According to him, Obama’s approach allowed Iran to become stronger and more confident on the world stage.
He said Obama had taken Iran’s side instead of standing firmly with America’s interests, arguing that this helped the country build more power over the years.
Trump also criticised former President Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president before later becoming president himself. Trump claimed Biden had little influence during the Obama administration and described him in harsh terms. He went on to say that when he became president, he ended the nuclear agreement with Iran because he believed it was one of the worst deals the United States had ever signed.
The agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was introduced during the Obama administration. It was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Supporters argued it reduced the risk of Iran developing nuclear weapons, while critics, including Trump, believed it gave Iran too many benefits without permanently stopping its nuclear ambitions.
Trump has repeatedly criticised the agreement over the years. During a recent NATO meeting, he again described it as a disaster. While speaking during the Fox & Friends interview, he appeared to struggle with the agreement’s official acronym, once again referring to it incorrectly before saying it was among the worst international agreements ever made by the United States.
The president also spoke about Iran’s military leadership, describing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a brilliant but dangerous figure. Trump argued that military action against Iran’s leadership, including previous strikes that killed senior Iranian officials, was necessary to stop the country from obtaining nuclear weapons and to protect American interests.
The interview comes as the conflict involving Iran continues for longer than many expected. The ongoing military situation has become increasingly controversial in the United States, with critics from both the Democratic Party and some Republicans questioning the administration’s strategy and expressing concern about the growing tensions in the region.
Looking ahead, Trump suggested the United States would take a major role in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran had repeatedly failed to honour agreements and insisted that America would respond forcefully if necessary.
“We had a deal. It was done, and they broke it,” Trump said. “They always break deals. We’ve had many agreements with them, and if we have to, we’re going to hit them very hard, keep the strait open, and probably take control of running it.”
His remarks once again highlighted his tough approach toward Iran, signalling that his administration intends to maintain strong pressure on the country as tensions in the Middle East continue.
