First Trump administration

Iran

During the first Trump administration, U.S.–Iran relations deteriorated sharply as Trump abandoned Obama's engagement strategy. The U.S. withdrew from the nuclear deal (JCPOA), reimposed sanctions, and launched a maximum pressure campaign that imposed over 1,500 sanctions and severely damaged Iran's economy. In response, Iran escalated uranium enrichment and ruled out talks. Tensions rose through 2019 with oil tanker attacks, a downed U.S. drone, and cyber retaliation. The crisis peaked in early 2020 after the U.S. killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, prompting Iranian missile strikes. Relations remained hostile through the end of Trump's term.