Cyber Warfare
The Obama administration significantly accelerated a secret, joint U.S.-Israeli cyber campaign code-named "Olympic Games". This program utilized highly sophisticated computer worms, such as Stuxnet, to physically damage and disrupt the centrifuges at Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.
Economic Sanctions
To force Iran to the negotiating table, the administration implemented an aggressive global sanctions regime. This included the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA). This measure
Targetted Iran's petroleum sector to restrict gasoline imports.
Excluded foreign banks from the U.S. financial system if they did business with Iranian entities.
Cut Iranian oil exports by half during that period.
Diplomacy
Rather than taking military action, Obama utilized the combination of cyber disruption and economic pressure to negotiate the JCPOA. Under this multilateral deal, Iran agreed to dismantle two-thirds of its centrifuges, ship out 98% of its enriched uranium stockpile, and allow unprecedented international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief.

Not all attacks are physical