If you're looking for diplomatic optimism about Iran right now, former national security adviser John Bolton is not your guy. He's made it pretty clear that he thinks negotiations with Tehran are pointless, and he's pushing for a far more aggressive approach.
No Time For Talking
Bolton shared his views in a video posted on X Tuesday, shortly after the State Department advised Americans in Iran to get out as protests intensified and security forces cracked down harder.
"Negotiations with the Iranian regime are a waste of oxygen," Bolton said bluntly.
His alternative? Use intimidation and support opposition forces to fracture the regime from within. "Let's give them reason to be intimidated. Let's see if we can help the opposition pick the regime apart at the top," he said.
Bolton warned the situation inside Iran is "very dangerous," with reports suggesting deaths from government repression "could be in the thousands" as demonstrations stretch into their second week.
What Would Regime Change Actually Look Like?
When asked about potential U.S. airstrikes, Bolton didn't reject the idea outright, but he emphasized that military action needs a clear endgame. "What's the plan? What's the objective?" he asked, arguing the goal should be "to help the opposition overthrow the regime of the Ayatollahs and the Revolutionary Guard."
Limited strikes designed just to send a message wouldn't cut it, according to Bolton. Instead, he suggested focusing on Iran's power centers: Revolutionary Guard headquarters, internal security forces, nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and naval assets in the Persian Gulf.
He dismissed reports that Iran had privately reached out for negotiations, saying Tehran would just use talks "to buy time and to try and ward off a real US move here."