Hakeem Jeffries claims Trump scrapped Iran deal over ‘Obama Derangement Syndrome’

WASHINGTON, DC: Hakeem Jeffries said that President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement due to what he described as “Obama Derangement Syndrome,” linking the decision directly to Trump’s stance on his predecessor.

Speaking in a recent interview, Jeffries criticized Trump’s approach to Iran and referenced a social media post by the president.

He said the claim that Iran had refused to enter a non-nuclear agreement was inaccurate, pointing instead to the deal negotiated under Barack Obama in 2015.

Hakeem Jeffries cites 2015 Iran deal to challenge Trump claims

Jeffries said Iran “actually did enter into a non-nuclear agreement” during the Obama administration, referring to the 2015 nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The agreement involved multiple world powers and aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

“And, you know, it's just more and more evident every day. Earlier this morning, I guess it was like at 4 am, this guy put something out there on social media saying that Iran refuses to enter into a non-nuclear agreement.”

He argued that the deal had been functioning before Trump withdrew the United States from it.

“What are you talking about, bro? Iran actually did enter into a non-nuclear agreement under the leadership of President Barack Obama.”

Jeffries’ remarks also referenced a post Trump made earlier in the day, in which he suggested Iran was unwilling to reach a non-nuclear agreement. Jeffries challenged that assertion, saying it overlooked the earlier accord reached under Obama.

Jeffries ties Trump’s Iran deal exit to broader anti-Obama agenda

In his comments, Jeffries framed Trump’s decision as part of a broader pattern in which policies associated with Obama were reversed.

“And then Donald Trump turned around and blew it up. Why? Because he has Obama derangement syndrome. The nuclear agreement was working that President Obama entered into.”

He described the withdrawal from the nuclear deal as a turning point that led to further instability.

“Donald Trump rips it up and then gets us into this reckless and failed war of choice that the American people know has been a disaster in the context of raising gas prices and Iran actually now having control over the Strait of Hormuz.”

Jeffries also criticized the consequences of the move, saying it contributed to what he called a “reckless and failed war of choice.”

He added that the situation has had wider impacts, including on energy markets and geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.  

Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Iran deal in 2018, arguing at the time that the agreement was flawed and did not address broader concerns about Iran’s activities.

The decision led to the reimposition of sanctions and increased tensions between the two countries.