LONDON: When President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, Barack Obama, who as his predecessor had forged the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, warned that doing so “without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake.” The US, Obama added, “could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East.” Eight years on, that predicted war, triggered by the surprise joint attack on Iran by the US and Israel on February 28, has now been fought and — temporarily, at least — halted.

Despite its absolute advantage in military power, the US floundered against Iran in a monthslong war that has shown the limits of American dominance

US president hails accord as a major victory despite lingering questions, warns Tehran of renewed bombing if it fails to comply with terms.