'Delay, delay, delay': Trump's 47-year accusation against Iran and the man he blames for it
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump sharply criticized former President Barack Obama’s Iran policy on Sunday, May 10, accusing Tehran of exploiting the United States for decades and alleging the Obama administration strengthened the Islamic Republic through its nuclear-era financial arrangements.
Trump’s comments came as Iran confirmed it had sent a response to Washington’s latest peace proposal through Pakistani mediation, signaling that diplomatic efforts to end the months-long conflict remain active.
The exchange comes amid heightened scrutiny over the future of Iran’s nuclear program and growing political debate in Washington over the terms of any potential agreement.
Trump attacks Obama-era Iran nuclear policy
In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Iran of using delay tactics for decades while criticizing previous US administrations, particularly Obama’s. “Iran has been playing games with the United States, and the rest of the World, for 47 years (DELAY, DELAY, DELAY!),” Trump wrote.
He argued that Iran gained leverage during Obama’s presidency, directly referencing the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under the previous administration.
“He was not only good to them, he was great, actually going to their side, jettisoning Israel, and all other Allies, and giving Iran a major and very powerful new lease on life,” Trump said.
Trump also revisited longstanding criticism of financial transfers connected to the Obama-era deal and accused Tehran of benefiting from American concessions.
“They finally found the greatest SUCKER of them all, in the form of a weak and stupid American President,” Trump wrote. The president ended the post with a warning, saying Iran “will be laughing no longer.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also addressed the negotiations, saying talks should not be interpreted as weakness.
Iran President Pezeshkian:
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 10, 2026
“We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat…” pic.twitter.com/d9SESEQGbJ
“We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.
Chris Murphy says Trump's Iran deal may be weaker than Obama's
Senator Chris Murphy on Saturday called for an end to the conflict but raised concerns over what a Trump-negotiated settlement with Iran might look like. “I want this war to end, now. And I want a deal that constrains Iran’s nuclear program,” Murphy wrote on X.
I want this war to end - now. And I want a deal that constrains Iran's nuclear program.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 9, 2026
But what we are learning is that any deal Trump gets - and a deal is still very unlikely - is going to be WAY worse than the nuclear deal he cancelled a decade ago.
1/ Here's what we know:
The Connecticut Democrat argued that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached under Obama in 2015, imposed stricter limitations on uranium enrichment, stockpiles and inspection protocols than any future Trump deal is likely to achieve.
Murphy said Iran’s nuclear capabilities have expanded significantly since Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, giving Tehran more technical knowledge and negotiating leverage.
3/ When Trump blew up the agreement, Iran put their nuclear program into overdrive. They made advancements they never made before the JCPOA.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 9, 2026
Before the agreement, they had enriched to 20%. Now - 60%.
Iran can make a bomb in months. Probably 10 of them. https://t.co/jYjIfPCB2K
He argued that while a future agreement could still place limits on current enrichment levels, it would not reverse scientific advancements already made. “No deal can reverse the knowledge they gained. That’s a disaster Trump made,” Murphy said.
