Donald Trump’s primary stated objective in attacking Iran has been to stop its pursuit of nuclear weapons. But Iran’s current nuclear trajectory is the direct result of Trump’s own misguided, ego-driven decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw from a functioning, verifiable agreement that was keeping those ambitions in check.
In 2015, the United States and our allies negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a deal that sharply constrained Iran’s nuclear program. Iran dismantled two-thirds of its centrifuges, capped enrichment at 3.67%, cut its uranium stockpile by 98%, and accepted the most intrusive inspections regime ever implemented. In exchange, the world eased economic sanctions.
On May 8, 2018, President Trump walked away from that agreement. He called it “one-sided,” even as Britain, France and Germany urged the United States to stay because Iran was complying and the deal was making the region safer.
The consequences of that withdrawal are now undeniable. After the U.S. reimposed sanctions, Iran began abandoning its own commitments. Enrichment levels rose, stockpiles expanded, and international inspectors lost access. Instead of restraining Iran, Trump’s decision dismantled the very mechanisms that had kept its nuclear program contained. Iran’s missile development and terror-support activities also accelerated in direct response to Trump’s confrontational approach. Iran’s increased support of Hamas and Hezbollah ultimately led to the barbaric events of Oct. 7 and border skirmishes near Lebanon. As a result, Gaza and portions of Lebanon have been effectively destroyed and over 83,000 people killed, with the majority being innocent women and children.
We can debate politics, but the facts are clear: Trump leaving the agreement did not make anyone safer. It has isolated us from our allies, empowered hardliners in Iran, increased terror activity and sped up the very nuclear risks the deal was designed to prevent.
Ronald Kamzelski is a resident of Cedar Key.