Trump Blames Obama as U.S. Launches ‘Defensive Strikes’ Against Iran

Trump’s remarks also revived debate over one of the Obama administration’s most controversial foreign policy decisions: the 2016 transfer of $1.7 billion in cash and foreign currency to Iran following the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement.

The Obama administration acknowledged at the time that the money was delivered in pallets of foreign cash because sanctions had effectively blocked Iran from accessing the international financial system.

The first installment, totaling $400 million, was transferred to Tehran on Jan. 17, 2016, the same day Iran released four American prisoners. Additional payments totaling $1.3 billion followed in subsequent weeks.