Obama Says U.S. Is Worse Off After Iran War as 60-Day MOU Leaves Nuclear Issue Open
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 19
Obama Says U.S. Is Worse Off After Iran War as 60-Day MOU Leaves Nuclear Issue Open
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 19
Summary
Barack Obama said the United States may be "a little bit worse off" than before the February war with Iran, arguing the country spent billions, strained its military and suffered deaths only to return to the status quo.
Asked about the new U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, Obama welcomed the ceasefire but questioned the war's rationale, saying the conflict failed to deliver a clearer outcome.
Obama tied that outcome to Trump's 2018 exit from the 2015 nuclear deal, which he said had constrained Iran's weapons ambitions before Tehran later expanded its nuclear capacity.
The MOU Trump signed Wednesday at Versailles gives negotiators 60 days to reach a permanent accord, but it does not fully resolve the future of Iran's nuclear program.
Speaking ahead of the Obama Presidential Center's public opening, Obama cast the moment as part of a broader period of U.S. polarization and urged renewed civic accountability.