In a move that many thought would eventually happen, Donald Trump has officially pulled the United States out of the iran deal that was put in place during the Barack Obama administration. In response, the former president decided to speak out.
Obama on Trump
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known universally as the "Iran deal," was signed in 2015 to help curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, including the elimination of their stockpile of medium-enriched uranium. In addition to the United States, countries like China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and Germany added their names to the list, as well as the European Union.
However, Donald Trump has been a vocal opponent of the deal, referring to it as "disastrous" during a speech at the White House on Tuesday. Not stopping there, Trump continued his criticism of the deal, calling it "defective at its core" and that it was "decaying and rotten" before making the official announcement to pull out.
JUST IN: Former Pres. Obama calls Iran decision "so misguided."
— ABC News (@ABC) May 8, 2018
"Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated." https://t.co/0cO9N9XNSU pic.twitter.com/PF6oBr4jvh
Not long after the news went public, former President Barack Obama posted a lengthy criticism of Donald Trump and his decision on his offical Facebook page on May 8.
"Today’s announcement is so misguided," Obama wrote of Trump's decision. "Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated," the former president went on to explain.
Obama doubles down
"Debates in our country should be informed by facts, especially debates that have proven to be divisive," Barack Obama added, in what appeared to be a shot at Donald Trump and his constant blurring of the lines between factual information and inaccuracy.
After listing off six separate reasons for why the Iran deal is import, Obama doubled down on why the move to leave the agreement is a major blunder.
There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Today’s decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018
"I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake," Barack Obama posted.
"Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East," he warned. In closing, the former commander in chief threw shade at Donald Trump, writing, "I hope that Americans continue to speak out in support of the kind of strong, principled, fact-based, and unifying leadership." As of press time, Trump has not offered a rebuttal to Obama's vocal criticism.