--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Iran would have become a nuclear power…" description: "\"Iran would have become a nuclear power had President Obama not united most of the world in boycotting Iranian oil sales, which crippled Iran's economy ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/bob-beckel-4887_iran_iran-would-have-become-a-nuclear-power-h_2226097.jpg" --- # Iran would have become a nuclear power had President Obama… ![“Iran would have become a nuclear power had President Obama not united most of the world in boycotting Iranian oil sales, which crippled Iran's economy and forced it to negotiate. Other presidents tried to stop Iran's nuclear program. They failed. Obama succeeded.” quote by Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/bob-beckel-4887_iran_iran-would-have-become-a-nuclear-power-h_2226097.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/bob-beckel-4887_iran_iran-would-have-become-a-nuclear-power-h_2226097.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/bob-beckel-4887_iran_iran-would-have-become-a-nuclear-power-h_2226097.jpg) > “Iran would have become a nuclear power had President Obama not united most of the world in boycotting Iranian oil sales, which crippled Iran's economy and forced it to negotiate. Other presidents tried to stop Iran's nuclear program. They failed. Obama succeeded.” [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obama’s diplomatic pressure on oil markets weakened Iran, prompting negotiations on its nuclear ambitions. **In simple terms:** Obama’s oil boycott forced Iran to negotiate its nuclear program. Key Takeaway Use diplomatic pressure to influence hostile actions. Themes politics energy diplomacy sanctions Mood critical analytical Type political commentary When to use this quote - government negotiations - energy policy - international sanctions - nuclear talks Key Concepts geopolitics economic leverage nonproliferation Questions to Reflect On - How do sanctions impact ordinary citizens? - What alternatives exist to diplomatic pressure? A Different Perspective Effectiveness depends on global cooperation; sanctions can hurt civilians. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crippled Iran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crippled-iran-4989228/) [Iran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iran/) [Iran Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iran-nuclear-673059/) [Iranian Oil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iranian-oil-1694144/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Nuclear power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-power/) [Oil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oil/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Stop Iran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-iran-920825/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [We will stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. We will stop that nuclear arms race that could happen in the Middle East. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jindal/we-will-stop-iran-from-becoming-a-nuclear-power-we-will-stop-that/) [Bobby Jindal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jindal/) > [The Americans have claimed they want to completely stop Iran's oil exports. They don't understand the meaning of this statement, because it has no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-rouhani/the-americans-have-claimed-they-want-to-completely-stop-iran-s-oil/) [Hassan Rouhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-rouhani/) > [I do not believe the efforts of the international community to stop Iran's nuclear program will bear fruit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-barak/i-do-not-believe-the-efforts-of-the-international-community-to-stop/) [Ehud Barak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-barak/) > [Of course there are many factors that led to the Iranian revolution, but back in 1951, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company - which would later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-curtis/of-course-there-are-many-factors-that-led-to-the-iranian-revolution/) [Adam Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-curtis/) > [Sanctions alone could not stop Iran's nuclear program. But they did help bring Iran to the negotiating table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/sanctions-alone-could-not-stop-iran-s-nuclear-program-but-they-did/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We need to do more to stop Iran's persecution of different religious faiths, including Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Bahais. We must do more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/we-need-to-do-more-to-stop-iran-s-persecution-of-different-religious/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [Overwhelmingly, Israel's political and military establishment want the rest of the world to act diplomatically or otherwise to stop Iran. But if that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-ross/overwhelmingly-israel-s-political-and-military-establishment-want-the/) [Dennis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-ross/) > [You can't have a discussion about Israel and the region without including Iran and their nuclear ambitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mackay/you-can-t-have-a-discussion-about-israel-and-the-region-without/) [Peter MacKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mackay/) > [By legitimizing Iran's nuclear program, removing the pressure of economic sanctions, and allowing it to obtain conventional weapons and ballistic missiles, this agreement makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-b-pritzker/by-legitimizing-iran-s-nuclear-program-removing-the-pressure-of/) [J. B. Pritzker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-b-pritzker/) > [I'm determined that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-manchin/i-m-determined-that-iran-will-not-get-a-nuclear-weapon/) [Joe Manchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-manchin/) > [Even if we somehow destroyed all of Iran's nuclear capability, they will simply rebuild it, in locations that are harder to find and harder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/even-if-we-somehow-destroyed-all-of-iran-s-nuclear-capability-they/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [It was the Obama administration that cut a faux deal with the Iranians that will not disarm Iran of its nuclear capabilities, and will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/it-was-the-obama-administration-that-cut-a-faux-deal-with-the/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [From the 1920s into the 1940s, Britain's standard of living was supported by oil from Iran. British cars, trucks, and buses ran on cheap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/from-the-1920s-into-the-1940s-britain-s-standard-of-living-was/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [India has reduced its dependence on Iranian oil. I know their refineries have stopped asking for orders to purchase Iranian oil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/india-has-reduced-its-dependence-on-iranian-oil-i-know-their/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When Turkey buys Iranian oil, we pay for it in Turkish lira... However, it is not possible for Iran to take that money as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-babacan/when-turkey-buys-iranian-oil-we-pay-for-it-in-turkish-lira-however-it/) [Ali Babacan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-babacan/) ## More by Bob Beckel > [I do oppose repealing Obamacare, because it's working for growing numbers of previously uninsured Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/i-do-oppose-repealing-obamacare-because-it-s-working-for-growing/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Anger in the black community towards Republicans is established and immutable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/anger-in-the-black-community-towards-republicans-is-established-and/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [The hardest-hit taxpayers in our disgraceful tax system are those folks who pack Trump's rallies, especially in hard-hit Rust Belt states like Ohio and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/the-hardest-hit-taxpayers-in-our-disgraceful-tax-system-are-those/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Some days I feel like I'm only the fire hydrant to Westminster dog show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/some-days-i-feel-like-i-m-only-the-fire-hydrant-to-westminster-dog/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [We've come a long way from the days of Jim Crow, and yes, we elected a black president, but racism lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/we-ve-come-a-long-way-from-the-days-of-jim-crow-and-yes-we-elected-a/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Charter schools are not a panacea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/charter-schools-are-not-a-panacea/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Jim Crow laws stripped blacks of basic rights. Despite landmark civil rights laws, many public schools were still segregated, blacks still faced barriers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/jim-crow-laws-stripped-blacks-of-basic-rights-despite-landmark-civil/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Like many other Americans, I'm tired of the U.S. taxpayer paying for foreign wars, especially when the countries we defend have raked in huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/like-many-other-americans-i-m-tired-of-the-u-s-taxpayer-paying-for/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [It should be mandatory that any tax breaks go through appropriate committees and be voted on separately by both the House of Representatives and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/it-should-be-mandatory-that-any-tax-breaks-go-through-appropriate/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Where most politicians would have abandoned a supporter like Jeremiah Wright and the community he served, Obama, while strongly criticizing him, did not throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/where-most-politicians-would-have-abandoned-a-supporter-like-jeremiah/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [I came from a dysfunctional family - very dysfunctional. And my father used to find great humor in throwing me down the stairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/i-came-from-a-dysfunctional-family-very-dysfunctional-and-my-father/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [As a former presidential campaign manager, I remember the final week of the campaign as being the longest and most important week of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/as-a-former-presidential-campaign-manager-i-remember-the-final-week/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [In the 1990s, the Democratic Party began to cozy up to their long-time enemies: Wall Street Bankers. They took their money and relaxed their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/in-the-1990s-the-democratic-party-began-to-cozy-up-to-their-long-time/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [My pop culture ended somewhere north of Elvis but not too far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/my-pop-culture-ended-somewhere-north-of-elvis-but-not-too-far/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [I have never analyzed a presidential election as much as I did the Trump-Clinton race of 2016.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/i-have-never-analyzed-a-presidential-election-as-much-as-i-did-the/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) [Explore all 104 Bob Beckel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) ## More Iran quotes > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [The plight of the Baha'i community in Iran has served as a backdrop to my life growing up in London, particularly since the Islamic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omid-djalili/the-plight-of-the-baha-i-community-in-iran-has-served-as-a-backdrop/) [Omid Djalili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omid-djalili/) > [Former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the radical Islamist mullahs ruling Iran share many similarities, but honesty and negotiating in good faith are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/former-libyan-dictator-moammar-gadhafi-and-the-radical-islamist/) [Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/) > [I look at what's happening around the world and I see Iran four years closer to a bomb. I see the Middle East with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-look-at-what-s-happening-around-the-world-and-i-see-iran-four-years/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [“The hijab-related deaths and death sentences in Iran show that breaking the attire laws is more dangerous adventure than breaking the nudity laws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-n-prasher/the-hijab-related-deaths-and-death-sentences-in-iran-show-that/) [R. N. Prasher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-n-prasher/) > [“Anyone who is portraying Israel as a friend is a servant of Israel. I warn some sides against turning enemies into friends and friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/anyone-who-is-portraying-israel-as-a-friend-is-a-servant-of-israel-i/) [Sayed Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/) > [Some Iranian doctors from Europe and America go to Iran and operate for free or teach medical students there. The other day, I met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farah-diba/some-iranian-doctors-from-europe-and-america-go-to-iran-and-operate/) [Farah Diba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farah-diba/) > [“My whole being is a dark chant that will carry you perpetuating you to the dawn of eternal growths and blossomings in this chant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forugh-farrokhzad/my-whole-being-is-a-dark-chant-that-will-carry-you-perpetuating-you/) [Forugh Farrokhzad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forugh-farrokhzad/) > [President Trump is right to get out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and impose economic sanctions in order to force a more legitimate agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-hyde-smith/president-trump-is-right-to-get-out-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal-and/) [Cindy Hyde-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-hyde-smith/) > [A nuclear-weapons armed Iran is not in anyone's human-rights interests. 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