Obama Jabs Trump Over Iran War, Claims His Deal ‘Worked’

Former President Barack Obama is once again weighing in on Middle East policy as President Donald Trump leads high-stakes negotiations overseas involving China, Iran, trade, and global security.

During an interview with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Obama defended the controversial 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and appeared to criticize President Trump’s tougher approach toward Tehran.

The interview, filmed at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, included questions about whether Obama ever considered military action during negotiations with Iran.

“Oh, it was definitely considered,” Obama admitted.

“My basic theory was that Iran couldn’t become a nuclear state. That the regime itself was murderous, oftentimes towards its own people,” Obama said.

“Iran has engaged in state-sponsored terrorism, was a threat to the United States and allies of ours. So the idea that they would have nuclear weapons would be extraordinarily dangerous,” he continued.

Obama also argued that military force should only be used as a last option.

“It would also trigger a nuclear arms race in what is a powder keg,” Obama said, adding that he viewed military action as “a last resort instead of the first.”

The former president then strongly defended the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Obama argued the agreement successfully reduced Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile while avoiding military conflict.

“And we pulled it off without firing a missile. We got 97% of their enriched uranium out,” Obama said.

“They were able to maintain a modest civilian nuclear program for energy,” he added.

In what many viewed as a direct criticism of President Trump’s military posture toward Iran and recent tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz, Obama insisted the nuclear agreement had been successful.

“Not only did I think it was working, even Israeli intelligence thought it was working, even our intelligence services thought it was working,” Obama said.

“So, there’s no dispute that it worked. And we didn’t have to kill a whole bunch of people or shut down the Strait of Hormuz.”

President Trump has long criticized the Iran nuclear deal as one of the worst international agreements ever negotiated, arguing it provided Iran with economic relief while allowing the regime to continue supporting terrorism and destabilizing activity throughout the Middle East.

Obama’s remarks came as President Trump continues his high-profile diplomatic trip to China, where economic cooperation, trade negotiations, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and Iran remain central topics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly told American business leaders accompanying President Trump that China intends to further expand access for U.S. companies operating inside the country.

According to China’s state-backed Xinhua News Agency, Xi emphasized that American companies have already benefited substantially from China’s economic growth and reform efforts.

“Xi said that U.S. companies are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening up, and both sides have benefited from this,” the report stated.

“Noting that China’s door will only open wider, Xi said China welcomes the United States to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with China and expressed belief that U.S. companies will enjoy even broader prospects in China,” the report added.

Several major American technology executives traveled with President Trump during the Beijing summit, including Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Tim Cook.

President Trump reportedly introduced the executives to Xi individually during meetings surrounding the summit.

“The U.S. entrepreneurs said that they attach great importance to the Chinese market, and hope to deepen their business operations in China and strengthen cooperation with China,” Xinhua reported.

Meanwhile, the White House signaled optimism about expanding American access to Chinese markets.

In a statement posted on X, the White House said both sides discussed “ways to enhance economic cooperation between countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment.”

The developments highlight the sharp contrast between Obama-era diplomacy and President Trump’s current America First foreign policy strategy as the administration simultaneously navigates conflicts involving Iran, China, trade, and global energy security.