Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken blamed President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Barack Obama-era Iran nuclear agreement for the current crisis, arguing that Washington still has a diplomatic path to end the conflict.
Blinken Blames Trump for Abandoning Iran Nuclear Deal
In a post on X on Monday, Blinken said Trump’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement without replacing it with an alternative was the “costliest mistake” in his handling of Iran.
He argued that subsequent decisions had left the U.S. with fewer options to address Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Speaking to CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin, Blinken said the agreement had helped prevent Iran from developing the nuclear capabilities needed to produce a weapon.
Instead, he said, Iran expanded its capacity to produce fissile material after Trump abandoned the deal.
Calling the withdrawal the “original sin,” Blinken also questioned the decision to launch military action against Tehran, saying the strikes had damaged its nuclear infrastructure but had not eliminated the threat.
He noted that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was believed to remain buried underground, while some centrifuges could also have survived, potentially allowing the country to rebuild its nuclear program.
‘They Can Be Pressured Into Negotiating,’ Says Blinken
Blinken warned against further escalation, arguing that Iran’s size, coastline and remaining military capabilities make a prolonged conflict particularly dangerous.
“They can be pressured into negotiating. I do not believe they will be pressured into capitulating,” he said.
He urged Trump to maintain economic pressure while pursuing a diplomatic agreement, warning that escalating the war further would be a “disaster.”
Blinken also suggested Trump’s reluctance to accept an off-ramp could stem from his desire to avoid appearing to lose a conflict he initiated.
Trump Signals Iran War Could End Soon
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters that negotiations with Tehran were progressing well and suggested further military action might not be necessary.
However, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei accused Washington of spreading “fake news” about negotiations and demanded that the U.S. accept Tehran’s seven conditions for ending the war.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, meanwhile, described his discussions with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about advancing U.S.-Iran talks as positive.
Separately, former National Security Adviser John Bolton called for the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports, arguing that the economic pressure has severely weakened Tehran’s regime.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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