NEW YORK — Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has voiced support for the recent attacks against Iran by the United States and Israel, even as also criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the lead-up to the military action. The escalating conflict has raised concerns about wider regional instability and the potential for further escalation.
Bolton, a prominent foreign policy hawk who served under President Donald Trump from April 2018 to September 2019, stated that the decision to strike Iran was “better late than never.” Still, he also expressed reservations about the way the Trump administration approached the situation, arguing that it lacked sufficient preparation and public communication.
“Trump has made this much more complicated and difficult through the mistakes he has made,” Bolton said. “And because he is able to completely turn things around, he could suddenly declare victory and say the war is over. That is a major concern for the opposition in Iran.”
Advocated for Military Action
Bolton, 77, has long been described as a hardliner in U.S. Security and foreign policy. He previously served as a controversial U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush and was a key figure in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
As Trump’s National Security Advisor from April 2018 to September 2019, Bolton later became a vocal critic of the former president, detailing his concerns in the book “The Room Where It Happened.”
Bolton expressed surprise at the recent U.S. And Israeli attacks on Iran.
– What were your conversations with Trump about Iran when you were in the White House?
“He was definitely concerned about Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. He was, of course, also concerned about the terrorist threat, but he had a very different view on regime change at that time.”
Bolton further stated that he, other officials in the Trump administration, and members of Congress attempted to persuade Trump to pursue regime change in Iran.
“It didn’t succeed then. So I was quite surprised when he announced the attack last week, and my first thought was that it was better late than never,” Bolton said.
Bolton believes the attacks were justified and critical for “peace and stability” in the Middle East, as reported by PBS NewsHour. He also criticized Trump’s failure to adequately prepare the public and garner support for the military action.
Netanyahu’s Influence
Bolton believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a key role in persuading Trump to launch the attacks.
He noted that in the past, Israel initiated attacks on Iran, prompting the U.S. To respond. This time, the U.S. And Israel coordinated a direct assault on Iranian leadership, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.
– I believe Trump finally saw that there was no other real solution to the nuclear threat and the terrorist threat as long as this regime is in power. If you can’t change the regime’s behavior, then the only other option is regime change,” Bolton said.
So far, Bolton assesses the attacks on Iran as a military success.
– The military operations have been a great success. Trump himself has said he thinks this could continue for four, five weeks, perhaps longer. Much depends on how effective our efforts are to destroy Iran’s key retaliatory capabilities, and that is missiles and drones,” Bolton said.
He believes statements from Trump and others in the administration suggest that much of this has already been achieved, allowing the U.S. To continue attacks deeper into Iran.
Lack of Preparation
Bolton also expressed concern that the Trump administration did not adequately prepare for the potential consequences of the attacks, both domestically and internationally.
– The attacks came as a complete surprise to the American public. I’m not talking about detailing the military operations, but you have to explain why military actions far away are in their interest,” Bolton said. “Trump didn’t do that. He’s starting now, and it may be too late. He also didn’t prepare Congress. And perhaps most importantly, we didn’t prepare the opposition in Iran. They are the ones who must bear the burden internally in Iran. We have done a lot since the attacks began, but I am concerned that we did not do enough beforehand.”
– What do you think is the biggest difference between the situation now and the Iraq War in 2003?
– Iraq came after 9/11. That is one important difference. But then, the Bush administration also did much more planning in advance. I think it is a political leader’s responsibility to explain to the American people why military actions far away are in their interest,” Bolton said.
