Barack Obama defended the 2015 agreement on Iran's nuclear program, arguing that it succeeded in limiting Tehran's nuclear capabilities without leading to military conflict in the Middle East.

In an interview with CBS, the former US president said that the deal had led to the removal of most of Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles and that it was supported by US and Israeli intelligence services at the time.

"We made it without firing a single missile," he said characteristically.

"We removed 97% of their enriched uranium. There's no doubt it worked," he added.

Obama also made remarks about the current situation in the region, saying the agreement was reached "without having to kill a lot of people or close the Strait of Hormuz."