Trump, Hegseth Rip Obama For Gifting Iran with Cash, Weapons

President Donald J. Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered sharp criticism over the weekend aimed at former President Barack Obama, accusing his administration of empowering Iran through massive cash transfers that, they argue, helped fuel Tehran’s military ambitions.

The remarks come as the United States, alongside Israel, continues its fourth week of Operation Epic Fury, an aggressive campaign designed to dismantle Iran’s military infrastructure. The operation follows President Trump’s assertion that the Iranian regime has resumed efforts to rebuild its nuclear weapons program—raising alarms about global security and regional stability.

Speaking at the FII PRIORITY Summit on Friday, President Trump revisited what many conservatives have long viewed as one of the most dangerous foreign policy missteps in modern U.S. history: the Obama-era Iran nuclear agreement. Trump, who withdrew from the deal during his first term after evidence surfaced that Iran was continuing covert nuclear development, condemned the financial concessions made to Tehran.

Central to his criticism was the controversial $1.7 billion payment sent to Iran, which he described as a reckless transfer of taxpayer funds that emboldened a hostile regime.

“That Barack Hussein Obama, did you ever hear of him? Barack Hussein Obama, he had the Iran nuclear deal. He went to Iran, he paid them,” the POTUS said. “Remember, he sent two Boeing 757 jetliners. They took the seats out and they piled it with cash, like 1.7 billion of cash.”

“That’s when I realized the president is very powerful. The presidency is a very powerful thing when you can do that. I haven’t done that yet. I haven’t found a reason to do that yet, but that’s big,” the Republican leader expressed.

At the time, the Obama administration defended the payment as a settlement tied to a decades-old dispute stemming from a failed arms agreement prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Critics, however, have consistently argued that the move effectively rewarded a regime with a long record of hostility toward the United States.

“You know, there wasn’t a bank in DC, Virginia, or Maryland that had any money after that disaster,” Trump said.

“But they sent the cash to Iran, but more importantly, they signed an agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, which, if I didn’t terminate it in my first term, I terminated it almost immediately. If I didn’t terminate it, they would have had a nuclear weapon long ago, and they would have used it on the Middle East, Israel,” the commander-in-chief further said.

War Secretary Hegseth echoed the president’s concerns during a recent Cabinet meeting, placing blame squarely on past leadership while also criticizing the media for what he described as biased coverage that downplays the threat posed by Iran.

“You wouldn’t know it if you listened to the dishonest, anti-Trump media,” Hegseth said. “These cameras… they have a choice. You’re either informing the American people of the truth or you’re not… My message to the media is: get it right.”

Hegseth also highlighted growing concerns about Iran’s expanding missile capabilities, warning that the regime’s reach now extends far beyond the Middle East. He pointed to a recent failed missile attempt targeting a joint U.K.-U.S. installation, underscoring the broader risks facing America’s allies.

According to defense assessments, Iranian missile technology may now have a range of up to 4,000 kilometers—placing parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa within striking distance. The failed launch, while not causing damage, has intensified concerns about Tehran’s intentions and its willingness to test the limits of international restraint.

Without directly naming the targeted base, Hegseth stated: “Two days ago they [Iran] shot two failed missiles on a target 4,000km away. For years, they told the world that their missiles could only range [2,000] kilometres. Surprise. Yet again, Iran lie.”

As tensions continue to escalate, the Trump administration has made clear that it views Iran not only as a regional adversary but as a growing global threat—one that requires decisive action and a firm commitment to protecting American interests and allies.