RismadarVoice Reporters, June 19, 2026
Former United States President Barack Obama has expressed concern over the outcome of the U.S. military campaign against Iran, suggesting that the country may be no better off and possibly worse off than it was before the conflict began.
Speaking during an interview with NBC’s TODAY show ahead of the public opening of the Obama Presidential Centre, Obama reflected on the consequences of President Donald Trump’s decision to launch military action against Iran earlier this year.
According to the former president, the war has imposed high costs on the United States without delivering clear long-term gains.
“We’ve fought a war, spent billions of dollars, placed enormous pressure on our military, and lost many lives,” Obama said. “Yet it feels as though we are back to where we started, perhaps even in a worse position.”
Obama welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran, describing it as a positive development and expressing hope that it would endure. However, he questioned the rationale behind the conflict, arguing that diplomatic efforts pursued during his administration had previously succeeded in limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
He pointed to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, negotiated while he was in office, which placed restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
“Under that agreement, Iran had committed not to pursue nuclear weapons,” Obama said. “The decision by a later administration to withdraw from the deal contributed to Iran expanding its nuclear capabilities.”
Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark accord in 2018 during his first term, arguing that the agreement failed to adequately address broader security concerns. Since then, tensions between Washington and Tehran have fluctuated, culminating in the recent conflict.
A new memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by President Trump and Iranian officials this week seeks to establish a framework for peace negotiations. The agreement reportedly gives both sides 60 days to work toward a more comprehensive settlement, though questions remain about the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Beyond foreign policy, Obama used the interview to reflect on the state of American democracy, saying the nation is experiencing a period of deep political division and uncertainty.
He acknowledged growing public concerns about democratic institutions and civic values but stressed that citizens still have an important role to play in holding leaders accountable and strengthening democratic governance.
The former president said he hopes the Obama Presidential Centre will inspire civic engagement and remind Americans of their collective responsibility in shaping the country’s future.
“We all have a role in ensuring that our government functions effectively,” Obama said. “Democracy depends on citizens remaining engaged and demanding accountability from those they elect.”
