Letter to the editor: What Trump can't admit about the Iran war

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 06.25.26

On June 7’s “Meet the Press,” Trump said, “I didn’t guarantee ‘no war.’ ” Except he did. On Aug. 14, 2024, Trump promised NC, “No more wars.” On Aug. 17, 2024, he pledged, “Under Trump, we will have no more wars.” Why would Trump lie about a promise Americans relied on when they elected him?

Consider this. In 2015 President Obama negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. In 2018, at the urging of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump killed it.

Under Obama’s deal, Iran: 1.) gave up 97% of its enriched uranium; 2.) allowed the most intrusive inspections ever performed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); and 3.) promised “Under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop, or acquire any nuclear weapons.”

IAEA inspectors certified that Iran complied with the agreement until one year after Trump killed it and imposed sanctions. Only then did Iran resume enriching uranium.

U.S Intelligence confirmed that Iran was not an imminent threat when Trump attacked. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) called Trump’s decision to start, then end the Iran War “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades. Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was being crushed by sanctions, and 13 service members were still alive. Now, 13 Americans are dead, families have paid billions at the pump, sanctions will be lifted, and the bombing has stopped. Reagan is rolling over in his grave.”

CNN reports that US Intelligence agencies assess that Iran can effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz at will from now on. “We have now handed Iran de facto control over the strait — a weapon more powerful than any nuke,” said CNN’s intelligence source.

The painful truth Trump cannot admit is this: Obama’s deal worked, Trump killed it, and Iran is stronger now than it was before Trump broke his promise by starting an unnecessary war Americans didn’t vote for and never wanted.

Bob Bannerman

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