The Return of the Deal Slayer

Back in 2018 — cue dramatic soundtrack — Donald Trump dramatically exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aka the Iran nuclear deal, branding it a “horrible one‑sided deal”. Sanctions were re‑imposed, Iran’s economy tanked, and Tehran ramped up uranium enrichment in defiance. Fast‑forward to 2025: Iran’s now flirting with weapons-grade levels, and that 2015 safety valve? Well, it’s been more valve than safety.

Enter “Operation Rising Lion”

Mid‑June 2025 saw Israel launch a massive strike on Iran’s nuclear installations, drawing Trump in like a moth to a bunker‑buster light. Within days, Trump green‑lit U.S. airstrikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — no Congress consulting, no UN rubber‑stamp, just pure “America First” fireworks.

“Obliterated,” or “Delayed for Months”?

During NATO summit jaw‑wagging, Trump crowed that Iran’s nuke program was “obliterated,” comparing it to Hiroshima/Nagasaki theater. Pentagon and intelligence types disagreed — initial assessments say Iran’s setbacks were more “months, not decades”. Satellite pics? IAEA wants boots on ground to verify.

Daddy Don–Style Ceasefire

Less than 48 hours after bomb‑dropping theatrics, Trump pivoted to peace‑broker, forced a ceasefire, and dubbed it “THE 12‑DAY WAR”. He scolded Israel for poking the ceasefire prematurely, framing himself as the peacemaker with unconventional flair. NATO Secretary‑General Rutte even praised Trump’s performance, likening him to a stern but effective “daddy”.

What Trump’s Deal Exit Did to This War

Because Trump pulled out of the JCPOA in 2018, there was no monitoring regime when this war broke — uranium traceability was already gone . That vacuum paved the way for Iran’s breakout advances, Israel’s aggressive pre‑emptive strike, and America’s heavy‑handed re‑entry. Now we have war by tweet, ceasefire by decree, and experts warning we’re a far cry from stability .

The Trump Doctrine: Bomb First, Talk Later

VP J.D. Vance has distilled Trump’s approach into a three‑step “Trump Doctrine”: American interest, brute diplomacy, then brute-force, followed by an exit — preferably via social media announcement. This war followed that script exactly: bomb, brag, broker ceasefire — rinse and repeat.

Stroking the Ego, Risking the Future

Yes, Trump wants credit — and maybe a Nobel (or at least that’s what he hinted at). But critics are sounding alarms: no congressional mandate, risk of escalation, a fragile ceasefire, and no real diplomatic framework. Without inspections, Iran could accelerate its nuke program underground. Regional volatility? Check. Proxy flareups? Double‑check (Houthis are watching) .

Final Take

Trump’s dramatic 2025 re‑entry into Middle East hostilities may look like decisive statesmanship — Israel‑aligned strikes, boastful rhetoric, ceasefire enforcement. But with the 2018 JCPOA exit behind us, there’s no baseline of trust or verification. That “obliteration” claim? Debatable. The damage: Iranian nuclear capabilities delayed, not destroyed. The ceasefire: tenuous. The future: hostage to tweets, whims, and whiplash diplomacy. Oh, and next week Trump says U.S. will hold talks with Iran — because why not pivot again?

Bring popcorn, folks — or maybe a cameo from the UN inspector team next time.