Obama criticises Trump’s Iran war after warning Israel over Gaza

Former US president Barack Obama has criticised President Donald Trump's handling of the war with Iran, describing the conflict

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: Former US president Barack Obama has criticised President Donald Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, describing the conflict as unnecessary and arguing that diplomacy had previously prevented Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The remarks came during a Democratic campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, October 24, where Obama blamed the Trump administration’s decisions for rising living costs and growing concerns over the consequences of the conflict.

Obama defends diplomacy over military action

Speaking about the justification for the war, Obama argued that Iran’s nuclear programme had been addressed through the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated during his presidency.

“Iran didn’t have nuclear weapons because I had put a deal in place that everybody acknowledged kept them from getting nukes,” Obama said, adding that diplomacy had achieved the objective without launching missiles.

He also accused Trump of making a series of poor decisions, describing the war as a conflict that Americans had neither requested nor voted for.

Obama further criticised the administration’s handling of the situation, arguing that its policies had contributed to economic pressure on American households.

According to his remarks, attacks on US bases and allied positions, American military casualties and the depletion of missile stockpiles had raised serious questions about the consequences of the campaign. He also pointed to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a major international shipping route, as a factor contributing to higher oil prices and increased consumer costs.

Dispute over the Iran nuclear agreement

The controversy has renewed attention to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 agreement reached between Iran and world powers to restrict Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018, arguing that it was inadequate. Obama’s latest comments defended the diplomatic approach adopted by his administration and challenged the rationale presented for the current military campaign.

The competing positions reflect a broader disagreement over whether diplomacy or military pressure offers a more effective way to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.

Earlier criticism of Israel over Gaza

Obama’s comments on Iran followed his recent remarks in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he criticised Israel’s approach to the conflict with the Palestinians.

During a discussion with journalist Susan McKay, the former president warned that relying primarily on military superiority could undermine Israel’s moral standing in the long term.

He argued that approximately seven million Palestinians would remain in the region and said a lasting solution required recognition of their rights and circumstances.

Obama also acknowledged the historical persecution of Jewish people while arguing that the displacement of Palestinians and the consequences of the conflict could not be ignored.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the remarks without directly naming Obama, maintaining that Israel’s land was not stolen and emphasising the Jewish people’s historical connection to the territory.

Foreign policy debate intensifies

Obama’s recent statements highlight his continued criticism of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, particularly its reliance on military action and its handling of the Middle East.

His defence of diplomacy also reflects the approach pursued during his presidency, although the effectiveness and limitations of the 2015 nuclear agreement remain subjects of international debate.

The remarks have added to discussions over the costs of the Iran conflict, regional security and the prospects for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crises.