Trump’s Two-Term Iran Playbook: Sanctions, Strikes, and Stalemates
As tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain a global flashpoint in 2026, a look back at former President Donald Trump’s aggressive two-term strategy reveals a high-stakes mix of economic warfare and military brinkmanship. 🔥
First Term (2017–2021): The Pressure Cooker
Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) kicked off a ‘maximum pressure’ campaign, slashing Iran’s oil exports by 1.5M barrels daily and imposing over 1,500 sanctions. 💸 The 2020 assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the brokering of the Abraham Accords further isolated Tehran, though Iran retaliated with missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq.
Second Term (2025–Present): Escalation & Uncertainty
Since returning to office in 2025, Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure 2.0’ has aimed to zero out Iranian oil exports. The June 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer airstrikes on nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz marked a dramatic military escalation. 🚨 While U.S. officials claim these moves curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, critics warn they risk inflaming regional conflicts.
As of January 2026, Tehran continues to reject U.S. demands for stricter nuclear limits, leaving diplomacy in limbo. With global energy markets watching closely, the strategy’s long-term impact remains as volatile as ever. ⚡
