Former U.S. President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump's Iran policy, assessing that with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war between the United States and Iran, "it feels like we've returned to the prewar state, or it may have gotten even worse."
According to NBC News, in an interview aired on the 19th (local time), Obama, when asked for his view on the U.S.-Iran MOU, said, "We fought a war, paid enormous expense, and placed a heavy burden on the military," adding, "Many people (13 U.S. service members) lost their lives."
He said, "The cease-fire itself is very welcome, and I hope it lasts," but added, "In the end, it feels like we're back to where we were before the war started. Perhaps the situation has gotten a little worse."
Obama also cited the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA; Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) concluded in 2015 during his tenure, saying, "At the time, Iran agreed not to develop nuclear weapons." He added, "The first Trump administration, which took office afterward, withdrew from the nuclear deal, and as a result Iran secured more nuclear capability."
This is interpreted as a direct rebuttal to Trump, who has criticized the JCPOA, regarded as a signature diplomatic achievement of the Obama administration, while highlighting the recently signed MOU with Iran as a success.
The JCPOA is an agreement signed in 2015 by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia, the European Union (EU), and Iran. It stipulates that Iran will limit its nuclear program in exchange for the United States and the international community easing sanctions against Iran.