During the Friday broadcast of HBO’s “Real Time,” host Bill Maher explored U.S. foreign policy under both Democratic and Republican administrations, focusing on Iran. His guest, H.R. McMaster, the former National Security Adviser under Donald Trump, offered a critical assessment of the policies pursued by Presidents Obama and Biden.

According to Breitbart, the conversation centered around the idea that efforts to reintegrate Iran into the international fold have faltered, with both Maher and McMaster offering different views on why.

Maher suggested the Obama administration’s failure was due to Trump’s decision to undo key agreements. However, McMaster argued that both Obama’s and Biden’s approaches to Iran were fundamentally flawed from the beginning, casting doubt on whether they ever had a chance to succeed.

Obama’s Iran Policy in the Spotlight

Bill Maher began by defending the Obama administration's efforts to reintegrate Iran into the global community. According to Maher, these efforts “only failed because Trump undid it,” referring to Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. This deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was a key part of Obama’s strategy to moderate Iran’s actions in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

H.R. McMaster countered this argument, asserting that the strategy itself was misguided from the outset. He stated that the hope of moderating Iran had failed, and Iran continued to pursue actions that destabilized the Middle East. McMaster criticized the financial benefits Iran received as part of the deal, stating that funds flowed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was involved in regional conflicts.

Trump’s Role in Reversing Obama’s Policies

The discussion inevitably turned to the Trump administration’s reversal of the Iran deal. Maher blamed Trump for dismantling a policy that had yet to prove itself fully. “That only failed because Trump undid it,” Maher remarked, emphasizing that reintegration efforts were halted before they had a chance to succeed.

McMaster responded that Trump’s actions were necessary to address what he saw as a dangerous and ineffective policy. According to McMaster, the Iran deal provided too many concessions without securing significant change in Iran's behavior. He further argued that the Biden administration had “resurrected” the same failed policies in an attempt to reengage with Iran.

Maher Suggests Reintegrating Russia and Iran

Maher made a broader point during the conversation, asserting that the U.S. has four major geopolitical rivals: China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. He argued that it would be impossible to confront all of these adversaries simultaneously, advocating instead for an effort to reintegrate at least Russia and Iran into the global order.

McMaster remained skeptical of this approach. He emphasized that Iran’s government shows no signs of moderating, even with previous attempts at reintegration. He argued that the resources provided to Iran under the nuclear deal were misused to fund regional militias and destabilize the Middle East.

McMaster on Iran’s Influence in the Middle East

McMaster expanded on his critique of Iran’s role in the Middle East, describing the country as a destabilizing force that continues to undermine U.S. allies. He accused the Iranian regime of using the economic benefits from the nuclear deal to fund the IRGC, which has engaged in proxy conflicts across the region. According to McMaster, the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to reengage Iran are based on a flawed assumption that the regime is capable of moderation.

Maher acknowledged this point but reiterated that U.S. foreign policy cannot succeed if it attempts to confront every rival at once. While he agreed that Iran has been problematic, he suggested that reintegration could still be a viable solution under different circumstances.

Election Interference from Russia and Iran

Towards the end of the conversation, Maher shifted to the topic of election interference, noting that foreign meddling has become a persistent issue. He compared the current situation to the interference seen in the 2016 election cycle, arguing that it has now become an accepted part of the political landscape. Maher specifically named Russia, China, and Iran as countries that have interfered in U.S. elections.

In a lighter moment, Maher joked that Iran supports Vice President Kamala Harris. At the same time, Russia continues to back Donald Trump, humorously suggesting that the interference from these two countries might “cancel each other out.” Despite the joke, both Maher and McMaster agreed that foreign election interference is a serious problem that must be addressed.

Iran’s Support for Kamala Harris? A Lighthearted Remark

Maher’s comment about Iran’s alleged support for Kamala Harris sparked laughter but also underscored the ongoing issue of foreign interference in U.S. politics. McMaster refrained from commenting on this point, instead focusing on the broader consequences of allowing adversarial nations to continue their destabilizing activities without pushback from the U.S.

The debate between Maher and McMaster highlighted deep divisions over how to handle Iran and other global rivals. While Maher advocated for a more diplomatic and reintegrative approach, McMaster emphasized the need for tougher stances to curb harmful activities, particularly in the Middle East.

The Debate Over Reintegration Continues

The discussion on “Real Time” revealed a fundamental divide in U.S. foreign policy thinking. Maher’s argument for reintegrating countries like Russia and Iran reflects a belief in diplomacy and long-term engagement. In contrast, McMaster’s critique reflects concerns over security and the misuse of resources by adversarial regimes. As the Biden-Harris administration continues to navigate these challenges, the debate over how to handle Iran will likely remain a contentious issue in U.S. foreign policy.