John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump, stated on Monday that Iran is taking advantage of the president's urgent desire to secure a deal to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to CNN's Pamela Brown, Bolton expressed doubt that Trump fully grasps the ideological fervor of the Iranian regime.
Bolton's Critique of Trump's Negotiation Approach
Bolton remarked, "He is somebody who has spent his whole life making deals with people. He thinks everybody wants to make a deal on just about anything. That's not what these people are into." He added that Iran perceives Trump's eagerness for a deal that he can claim as a victory, particularly one that lowers gasoline prices, and is manipulating him by prolonging talks and buying time.
Bolton, who has frequently criticized Trump since being ousted from the administration, described reports of a proposed 60-day ceasefire extension as a mistake. He expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations would collapse, viewing them as a concession to Tehran.
Potential Consequences of the Negotiations
"I think we're on the verge of something that ultimately history will decide was a catastrophic loss for the United States," Bolton warned. He emphasized that the US has inflicted significant damage on Iran but is now allowing the regime to recover, which he called a tragedy for both the US and the region.
Bolton argued that Iran must learn that it cannot achieve its goals in the Gulf through military force. He advocated for the US to use military action to open the Strait of Hormuz, stating that this is the only way to establish deterrence against Iran's control of the waterway.
"It's reasonable to ask why didn't the administration think of this at the beginning of the war," Bolton said. He concluded that a diplomatic deal would be reversible by Iran "like turning a light switch on and off."
