Former CIA Director John Brennan sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent military strikes against Iran, arguing the operation risks repeating what he described as one of the most consequential foreign policy errors of the 21st century.
Speaking Monday on MSNBC’s The Weeknight, Brennan compared the current situation to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, which he said triggered years of instability across the Middle East.
“I think this is the second time this century that the United States has made a drastically bad mistake in terms of engaging in conflict in the Middle East,” Brennan said during the interview.
According to Brennan, the Iraq War led to prolonged violence and regional upheaval, including the rise of extremist groups such as ISIS. He warned that a new conflict with Iran could produce similar consequences.
“The first one was in 2003 when we invaded Iraq,” Brennan said. “That ushered in years and years of chaos and violence and terrorism.”
Brennan noted that Iran is a significantly larger country than Iraq and occupies a complex position in the region’s geopolitical landscape. He suggested that launching large-scale military strikes against the country could further destabilize an already volatile region.
In recent days, Iran has responded to the strikes by launching attacks against targets across the Middle East, including U.S. military positions and locations in Gulf states, according to multiple reports.
Brennan described the unfolding situation as tragic and unnecessary, arguing that the administration had not demonstrated that Iran posed an immediate threat requiring such action.
“This is such a tragic, tragic, senseless and needless loss of life that we’re seeing right now,” Brennan said. “There was no imminent threat.”
He also questioned the administration’s justification for the operation, suggesting that officials may be attempting to construct explanations after the fact.
Brennan further argued that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long advocated for military action against Iran and suggested that Israeli leadership may have influenced the United States’ decision to carry out the strikes.
“What’s clear to me is that Benjamin Netanyahu… was able to bring Trump along and got him to engage in something like this,” Brennan said.
Supporters of the administration’s actions have defended the strikes as a necessary response to threats from Iran and its regional activities, arguing that weakening Iran’s military capabilities could improve security for U.S. allies and limit Tehran’s influence.
