Obama criticizes Trump's Iran policy for raising oil and diesel prices

Former US President Barack Obama, speaking at a campaign rally in Ohio ahead of the US midterm elections, criticized President Donald Trump's Iran policy, stating that the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) had prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons through diplomacy rather than military action. Obama said, "Iran didn't have nuclear weapons because I had put a deal in place that everybody acknowledged kept them from getting nukes. And I didn't have to fire a missile to do it. I just had to engage in diplomacy." He further stated that Iran now has "veto power over the Strait of Hormuz, where oil goes through to the world market," and attributed rising oil, diesel, and other prices to this situation. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption there affects international markets. Obama's comments are seen as a critique of the Trump administration's approach to Iran, which has favored maximum pressure over diplomatic engagement. The rally was part of Obama's efforts to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterms. According to Mehr News, the former president's remarks highlight the ongoing debate over the effectiveness of the nuclear deal and its impact on regional stability and global energy prices.