Obama had a deal in place!
The street of Hormuz was open and no nuclear weapons were being developed. That all changed when Trump tore up the agreement because Iran knew Trump could not be trusted!
From personal observations and extensive reading on the Iran nuclear deal, I can share how significant Obama's agreement was in stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz. Under the deal, Iran agreed to reduce its enriched uranium stockpiles to less than 3.67%, which was an important step in preventing nuclear weapons development. One of the remarkable accomplishments was that 97% of enriched uranium was removed, allowing Iran to maintain a civilian nuclear program solely for energy purposes. During this period, the Strait of Hormuz remained open for international shipping, which is crucial as it is a key global oil transit route. There was no escalation into armed conflict or military strikes, which contrasted sharply with later events. However, the situation changed when the deal was abandoned. The Iranian nuclear program quickly ramped up enrichment to 60%, escalating tensions globally. This led to military confrontations causing casualties on both sides and damaged U.S. bases and equipment. I remember reading reports highlighting that, unlike during the deal, the cost both in human lives and financial expenses increased significantly, with billions spent on military engagements rather than diplomacy. From my perspective, the deal represented a diplomatic success in non-proliferation efforts that balanced Iran's rights to nuclear energy with the global community's security concerns. The collapse of the agreement has had profound consequences, emphasizing the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement in resolving complex international issues like nuclear arms control and regional security.
