Fact Check: "Cohen argues Trump has done more about Iran than previous administrations."
What We Know
The claim that Cohen argues Trump has done more about Iran than previous administrations is rooted in the context of U.S.-Iran relations during Trump's presidency. Under Trump's administration, the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a multilateral agreement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program. This withdrawal marked a significant shift in U.S. policy, as it was a departure from the diplomatic engagement strategies employed by previous administrations, particularly the Obama administration, which sought to negotiate and maintain the nuclear deal (source-1).
In the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal, tensions escalated, leading to military threats from Trump against Iran and significant sanctions that aimed to pressure Iran into renegotiating the terms of the nuclear deal (source-2). Notably, discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program resumed in 2025, indicating a shift towards direct negotiations, which had not occurred since Trump's first term (source-3).
Analysis
The assertion that Trump has done "more" about Iran can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, Trump's administration took a more confrontational approach, characterized by the withdrawal from the JCPOA and the imposition of stringent sanctions. This strategy diverged significantly from the previous administration's diplomatic efforts, which aimed to engage Iran through negotiations. Critics, including former intelligence officials like David Cohen, have raised concerns about the risks associated with politicizing intelligence to support such a confrontational stance (source-4).
However, while Trump's actions may represent a departure from previous policies, the effectiveness and outcomes of these actions are debated. The acceleration of Iran's nuclear program post-withdrawal suggests that the strategy may not have achieved its intended goals of curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions (source-3). Furthermore, the reliance on military threats and sanctions has led to increased regional instability rather than a resolution of tensions.
The sources used to evaluate this claim vary in reliability. Academic and policy reports, such as those from Perry World House, provide a nuanced view of U.S.-Iran relations and are generally credible. In contrast, opinion pieces, like those from Cohen, while insightful, may reflect personal biases based on their authors' previous roles in government.
Conclusion
The claim that Cohen argues Trump has done more about Iran than previous administrations is Partially True. While it is accurate that Trump's administration adopted a more aggressive and confrontational approach towards Iran, the effectiveness of these actions in achieving long-term stability and security remains questionable. The shift in strategy represents a significant change, but whether it constitutes "doing more" is subject to interpretation based on the outcomes of those actions.
Sources
- Iran: Background and U.S. Policy
- PDF Iran: Background and U.S. Policy - Congress.gov
- U.S.-Iran Relations Under Trump 2.0: Lessons Learned and Likely ...
- Trump is trying to politicize intelligence to support his Iran ...
- The Making of an Iran Policy
- A Really Bad Deal for America
- The US-Iran conflict: A timeline of how we got here
