Why Iran Is After Trump: Unpacking A Complex Geopolitical Rivalry

Hannah Stiedemann 19 Jun 2025

The relationship between Iran and the United States has been fraught with tension for decades, but the era of Donald Trump's presidency introduced a particularly volatile chapter. His foreign policy decisions, especially regarding the landmark nuclear deal, dramatically reshaped the dynamics, leading to a period of heightened animosity and direct confrontation. Understanding why Iran is after Trump requires a deep dive into the policies enacted during his administration and the subsequent ripple effects that continue to shape geopolitical realities. This article explores the multifaceted reasons behind Iran's adversarial stance towards the former U.S. president, examining the critical moments and strategic calculations that have fueled this enduring rivalry.

From the unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to the reimposition of crippling sanctions, Trump's approach fundamentally altered the fragile balance of power in the Middle East. This shift provoked strong reactions from Tehran, leading to a series of escalations that brought both nations to the brink of conflict. The consequences of these actions are still unfolding, making the question of "why is Iran after Trump" not just a historical inquiry but a crucial lens through which to view ongoing international relations.

The Genesis of Conflict: Trump's JCPOA Withdrawal
Iran's Retaliatory Stance and Perceived Threats
Trump's Persistent Push for a "New Deal"
The Shadow of Military Confrontation
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
The Domestic Political Angle in the US
Iran's Internal Dynamics Post-Trump
The Path Forward: Diplomacy or Escalation?

The Genesis of Conflict: Trump's JCPOA Withdrawal

The cornerstone of the renewed animosity between Iran and the Trump administration was undoubtedly the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. This accord, signed in 2015 by Iran, the P5+1 nations (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and the European Union, was designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. It represented a painstaking diplomatic effort, seen by many as a significant step towards de-escalation in a volatile region.

The JCPOA's Promise and Perceived Flaws

The JCPOA allowed the U.S. government to monitor Iran's weapons program, providing a framework for international oversight and verification. However, from the outset of his political career, Donald Trump was a vocal critic of the deal. He campaigned prior to his first election on pulling the U.S. out of the agreement, labeling it as "horrible" and asserting that it had to be discarded to move forward. His argument centered on the deal's perceived flaws, including its sunset clauses, which would gradually lift restrictions on Iran's nuclear program over time, and its failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program or its regional activities. On May 8, 2018, president Donald Trump made good on his promise, withdrawing the U.S. from the nuclear accord. This was one of the most significant foreign policy actions during his first term as president, terminating U.S. participation in the JCPOA and immediately reimposing economic sanctions on Iran. Two years after the deal went into effect, this abrupt reversal sent shockwaves through the international community and severely strained U.S.-Iran relations. The European signatories of the deal, along with Russia and China, vehemently disagreed with Trump's decision, attempting to salvage the agreement and maintain trade with Iran, but their efforts were largely undermined by the overwhelming power of U.S. sanctions. The immediate and devastating consequence for Iran was economic hardship. Iran’s economy has been reeling from years of sanctions, particularly after Trump, in his first term, pulled the U.S. out of a landmark nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions. These "maximum pressure" sanctions targeted Iran's oil exports, banking sector, and other vital industries, aiming to cripple its economy and force it back to the negotiating table for a "better deal." For Iran, this was an act of economic warfare, a betrayal of a multilateral agreement, and a direct assault on its sovereignty and economic stability. This perceived aggression laid the foundation for Iran's subsequent retaliatory actions and its enduring adversarial stance towards Trump.

Iran's Retaliatory Stance and Perceived Threats

In response to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the crippling sanctions, Iran adopted a more aggressive and confrontational posture. Tehran viewed Trump's actions as a declaration of economic war and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the regime. This led to a series of escalations, including increased uranium enrichment beyond JCPOA limits, harassment of shipping in the Persian Gulf, and, significantly, alleged plots targeting U.S. officials.

Targeting Former Aides: A Calculated Deterrent?

One of the most alarming developments to emerge from this period of heightened tension was the revelation that Iran has a hit list of former Trump aides. Reports indicated that roughly a dozen national security aides from the Trump White House are feared to be on Iran’s hit list, prompting U.S. authorities to scramble to protect them. This alleged targeting of individuals, rather than just state assets, signals a deeper level of animosity and a potential shift in Iran's strategy for retaliation. It suggests an intent to hold specific individuals accountable for policies perceived as directly harmful to Iran. Beyond these alleged lists, there were also more direct threats against Donald Trump himself. The White House confirmed the broad outlines of a separate threat against him from Iran after Trump was shot and wounded in the right ear at his July 13 campaign rally. While the rally incident was not directly linked to Iran, the confirmation of an existing threat underscored the serious nature of Iran's intentions. Iran's foreign minister's statements also hinted at the country's resolve, further solidifying the perception that Iran was actively seeking to respond to Trump's policies. However, Iran's mission to the United Nations, meanwhile, called the allegations of previous plotting against Trump unsubstantiated and malicious. This denial, while expected, does little to assuage concerns in Washington, where intelligence assessments often point to Iranian involvement in various destabilizing activities. The very existence of such allegations, regardless of their official confirmation, highlights the profound mistrust and the cycle of action and reaction that defined the Trump-Iran relationship. For Iran, these actions, whether direct or indirect, are often framed as necessary responses to what it perceives as U.S. aggression and attempts at regime change. This tit-for-tat dynamic is a key reason why Iran is after Trump, seeking to deter future hostile actions and assert its regional power.

Trump's Persistent Push for a "New Deal"

Despite withdrawing from the JCPOA and reimposing sanctions, Donald Trump consistently maintained that he was open to negotiating a new, more comprehensive deal with Iran. This seemingly contradictory stance reflected his belief that the "maximum pressure" campaign would eventually force Tehran to capitulate and agree to terms more favorable to U.S. interests. His rhetoric often oscillated between dire warnings and invitations for dialogue, creating a sense of unpredictability that kept both allies and adversaries on edge.

The "Deal" Trump Wanted: A Nuclear Bargain

President Donald Trump has repeated his push for a nuclear deal with Iran in recent days, seven years after he walked away from a multilateral deal that allowed the U.S. government to monitor Iran’s weapons program. He often expressed frustration that Iran had not signed the "deal" he told them to sign, as he wrote on Truth Social, "Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign." This sentiment underscored his transactional approach to foreign policy: he believed his terms were superior and that Iran was foolish for not accepting them. He consistently called on Iran to strike a deal which would see it agree to cease its ambitions to become a nuclear power, writing on Truth Social on Monday, he said, "What a shame, and waste of human." This push for a new deal was often accompanied by thinly veiled threats of military action. President Trump announced that he could take up to two weeks to decide whether to send the U.S. military to Iran, a period of time that opens a host of new options. This deliberate ambiguity, a hallmark of his foreign policy, aimed to keep Iran guessing and under pressure. While some might mock Donald Trump for blinking, or for deciding not to decide whether to join Israel’s assault on Iran for up to two weeks, this calculated delay was arguably a tactic to maintain leverage without immediately committing to a costly military intervention. Trump’s dire warning for Iran was a recurring theme. President Trump on Wednesday wouldn’t directly answer a question about whether the U.S. would attack Iran but urged the nation to make a deal, stating, "I may do it, I may not do it." This "will he, won't he" approach was designed to keep Iran on the defensive. Furthermore, President Donald Trump has begun by dropping something else, hint after unsubtle hint that the U.S. might assist Israel in attacking unspecified targets in its conflict with Iran. This implied support for Israeli military action added another layer of pressure, signaling that Iran faced not only direct U.S. threats but also potential coordinated attacks from its regional adversaries. This constant pressure and demand for a new, more restrictive agreement is a primary reason why Iran is after Trump, viewing his demands as an infringement on its sovereignty and a continuation of hostile policies.

The Shadow of Military Confrontation

Throughout Donald Trump's presidency, the specter of military confrontation with Iran loomed large. The rhetoric from Washington often teetered on the brink of conflict, fueled by aggressive statements, military deployments, and the constant threat of pre-emptive strikes. This pervasive tension created an environment where any miscalculation could have catastrophic consequences, not just for the two nations but for the entire Middle East and potentially the global economy. The "maximum pressure" campaign was not solely economic; it was backed by a credible, albeit often ambiguous, threat of force. Trump's willingness to openly discuss military options, even if ultimately not acted upon, was a significant departure from previous administrations. His statement, "I may do it, I may not do it," when asked about attacking Iran, perfectly encapsulated this strategy of deliberate uncertainty. This approach aimed to keep Tehran off balance, constantly weighing the risks of further escalation against the possibility of a direct military response from the U.S. Moreover, the U.S. under Trump was perceived as increasingly aligning with Israel's hardline stance against Iran. President Donald Trump’s hints after unsubtle hint that the U.S. might assist Israel in attacking unspecified targets in its conflict with Iran further exacerbated Tehran's fears. This implied coordination raised the stakes considerably, suggesting that Iran might face a two-front challenge – direct U.S. military action or U.S.-backed Israeli strikes. For Iran, the presence of U.S. military assets in the region, coupled with these overt and covert threats, constituted a direct challenge to its national security. The assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, in early 2020, though not explicitly mentioned in the provided data, was a stark illustration of the Trump administration's willingness to use lethal force, pushing the two nations to the precipice of war. This constant threat of military action, whether direct or through proxies, is a fundamental reason why Iran is after Trump, viewing him as a leader who consistently threatened its existence and interests.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts

The escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran under Donald Trump did not occur in a vacuum; they reverberated across the international stage, prompting a range of reactions from global powers. Many nations, particularly those that were signatories to the JCPOA, found themselves caught in the crossfire, attempting to de-escalate the situation and preserve the remnants of the nuclear deal. European foreign ministers, for instance, consistently pushed Iran to return to direct talks with the U.S. They viewed the JCPOA as a crucial non-proliferation agreement and sought to find a diplomatic path forward, even as U.S. sanctions made it increasingly difficult for European companies to conduct business with Iran. Their efforts were aimed at preserving the multilateral framework of the deal and preventing Iran from further abandoning its commitments, which it began to do in response to U.S. pressure. The European Union, in particular, tried to establish financial mechanisms to bypass U.S. sanctions and facilitate legitimate trade with Iran, though with limited success. Russia, a key player in the Middle East and a fellow signatory of the JCPOA, also expressed grave concerns. President Vladimir Putin of Russia said he was concerned that conflicts over Ukraine and Iran could spark World War 3. This statement underscored the widespread international apprehension that the U.S.-Iran standoff, combined with other geopolitical flashpoints, had the potential to spiral into a much larger, global conflict. Russia's strategic interests in the region, including its alliances with Syria and its energy partnerships, made it a vocal proponent of de-escalation and a critic of unilateral U.S. actions. China, another JCPOA signatory and a major importer of Iranian oil, also advocated for diplomacy and adherence to the nuclear deal. Like Russia, China saw the U.S. withdrawal as a violation of international law and a destabilizing factor. The international community's collective concern highlighted the perceived recklessness of Trump's "maximum pressure" strategy and the broad desire to find a peaceful resolution. These international reactions underscore that the U.S.-Iran conflict under Trump was not merely a bilateral issue but a global concern, further illustrating why Iran is after Trump, seeing him as an isolated actor whose policies threatened global stability and its own international standing.

The Domestic Political Angle in the US

Donald Trump's foreign policy towards Iran was not solely driven by international strategy; it was also deeply intertwined with his domestic political agenda and his appeal to a specific segment of the American electorate. His tough stance on Iran resonated with voters who felt the JCPOA was a weak deal that empowered a hostile regime. This made Iran a recurring theme in his campaign rallies and public addresses, serving as a powerful symbol of his "America First" approach. The debate over Iran's nuclear program and its regional activities became a litmus test for political alignment within the U.S. Republican party. While Trump's policies garnered strong support from his base and many conservative lawmakers, they also faced criticism from various corners, including some within his own party who preferred a more traditional diplomatic approach. The complexity of this domestic political landscape was occasionally highlighted by internal disagreements or public endorsements. For instance, Vice President JD Vance also backed Gabbard earlier this week after Trump said she was wrong about Iran, telling NewsNation in a statement, "Tulsi is a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of" – a nuanced example of how even within the pro-Trump camp, there could be differing views on specific foreign policy issues. This particular instance, where a prominent figure like Vance defended Gabbard's stance on Iran against Trump's criticism, showcased the internal debates that sometimes simmered beneath the surface of a seemingly unified front. For Trump, portraying Iran as a dangerous, rogue state that needed to be contained was a consistent message that played well with his supporters. It allowed him to present himself as a strong leader willing to challenge established norms and confront perceived enemies. The narrative of "getting a better deal" or "stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon" since announcing his candidacy in June 2015, was a powerful campaign promise that he continued to emphasize throughout his presidency. This domestic political imperative to appear tough on Iran, and to deliver on campaign promises, often overshadowed the diplomatic complexities and international repercussions of his policies. The consistent vilification of Iran for domestic political gain is yet another layer in understanding why Iran is after Trump, viewing him as a leader who used their nation as a political punching bag.

Iran's Internal Dynamics Post-Trump

Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, and especially his subsequent policies, left Iran in a complex state of shock. The immediate aftermath of his election in 2016, and particularly the withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, plunged Iranian society into a mix of anxiety, cautious hope, and profound uncertainty over what his policies might entail. This external pressure from the U.S. significantly impacted Iran's internal political landscape, exacerbating existing divisions and influencing the trajectory of its foreign policy. The reimposition of sanctions hit Iran's economy hard, leading to inflation, currency depreciation, and a decline in living standards for many ordinary Iranians. This economic hardship fueled public discontent and protests, putting immense pressure on the Iranian government. For hardliners within Iran, Trump's actions served as validation for their long-held skepticism about engaging with the West, particularly the U.S. They argued that the JCPOA was a mistake from the beginning and that the U.S. could not be trusted. This narrative strengthened their position and led to a more confrontational stance against Washington. Conversely, Iranian reformists and pragmatists, who had championed the nuclear deal as a path to greater integration with the global economy, found their influence diminished. Trump's withdrawal undermined their efforts and left them vulnerable to criticism from hardliners who pointed to the failure of diplomacy. This internal struggle between factions advocating for engagement and those pushing for resistance shaped Iran's responses to Trump's policies. The anxiety among the populace stemmed from the fear of war and further economic collapse, while a cautious hope lingered that perhaps a new, more equitable deal could be struck, or that a change in U.S. leadership might bring relief. The uncertainty, however, remained paramount. With each new sanction or threat from Trump, Iran's leaders had to navigate a perilous path, balancing the need to project strength and deter aggression with the imperative to avoid outright war. This internal turmoil and the need to respond to unprecedented external pressure are crucial factors in understanding why Iran is after Trump. His policies directly impacted Iran's domestic stability and empowered those who advocate for a more aggressive posture against the U.S.

The Path Forward: Diplomacy or Escalation?

The complex and often volatile relationship between Iran and the United States, particularly during the Trump era, leaves an enduring question: what is the path forward? The cycle of sanctions, threats, and retaliatory actions created a deeply entrenched mistrust that will be challenging to overcome, regardless of who occupies the White House. The options largely boil down to a return to diplomacy, albeit under new terms, or a continued risk of escalation.

Navigating Future Negotiations: A Tightrope Walk

Despite the profound animosity, the possibility of future talks has never entirely vanished. Both the Iranian and American sides have, at various points, signaled a willingness to engage, even if the conditions for such engagement remain vastly different. The provided data indicates that the next round of talks will take place on Saturday, April 19, suggesting that channels for communication, however tenuous, persist. These talks, whenever they occur, will be a tightrope walk, fraught with historical baggage and deep-seated grievances. For any future negotiations to succeed, several challenges must be addressed. Iran, having experienced the economic devastation of "maximum pressure," will likely demand ironclad guarantees that any new agreement will not be unilaterally abandoned again. It will also seek significant sanctions relief as a prerequisite for any concessions on its nuclear program or regional activities. The U.S., on the other hand, will likely push for a deal that is "longer and stronger," addressing concerns about Iran's ballistic missiles and its regional proxies, issues that the original JCPOA did not cover. The stakes for global security are incredibly high. President Vladimir Putin of Russia's concern that conflicts over Ukraine and Iran could spark World War 3 highlights the interconnectedness of global flashpoints and the potential for regional tensions to spill over. A nuclear-armed Iran, or a military conflict aimed at preventing it, would have catastrophic consequences for the Middle East and beyond. Therefore, finding a diplomatic resolution remains paramount. However, the legacy of the Trump administration's approach, which significantly eroded trust and pushed Iran towards greater nuclear activity, makes this task immensely difficult. The continued push for a deal, even after withdrawing from the previous one, and the resulting cycle of pressure and resistance, are central to understanding why Iran is after Trump, seeing him as the architect of their current predicament and the primary obstacle to a stable future.

Conclusion

The question of "why is Iran after Trump" is rooted in a complex interplay of policy decisions, historical grievances, and geopolitical strategies. At its core, Iran's adversarial stance is a direct consequence of Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA and the subsequent reimposition of crippling sanctions. This "maximum pressure" campaign, intended to force Iran to the negotiating table, was perceived by Tehran as an act of economic warfare and a fundamental betrayal of a multilateral agreement. The fallout from these policies has been profound: Iran's economy has been reeling, its internal political dynamics have shifted, and it has responded with escalatory measures, including alleged threats against former Trump aides and increased nuclear activity. Trump's persistent push for a "new deal," often accompanied by veiled military threats and hints of assisting Israeli actions, only solidified Iran's view of him as a hostile actor intent on undermining its sovereignty and stability. The international community, including European nations and Russia, largely viewed Trump's actions as destabilizing, underscoring the global apprehension that the U.S.-Iran standoff could spiral into a wider conflict. While Trump's policies resonated with his domestic political base, they left Iran in a complex state of shock, navigating a mix of anxiety, cautious hope, and profound uncertainty. Ultimately, Iran's actions are a reaction to what it perceives as an aggressive and untrustworthy U.S. foreign policy under Trump. The legacy of this period is one

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