Bolton Says Trump Wants Out of Iran—But Can't Afford to Look Like He's Running

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John Bolton, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, said Tuesday that Trump is trying to exit the Iran conflict for domestic political reasons, while avoiding any agreement that could be compared with former President Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal or look like a retreat.

Bolton Says Trump Fears Political Damage

In a post on X, Bolton wrote, "Trump wants out of Iran for domestic political reasons. But he knows that making a deal resembling the 2015 Obama deal, or one that suggests he's cutting and running, will hurt him politically." He added, "If he extends the ceasefire in Iran, it will confirm he only wants a deal. Iran will see right through that."

Bolton's post also linked to an interview on NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas Reports, in which he argued the odds were near zero that Iran would honor any commitments in a fresh agreement because Tehran "senses weakness" in Washington's approach.

He expressed doubt that Iran would materially change its behavior despite ongoing negotiations and a fragile truce, and said Trump was also "playing for time" because he was partly responsible for the position the United States now finds itself in as the war drags on. The Associated Press has previously reported on long-running tensions between Bolton and Trump over Iran policy, dating back to Bolton's ouster in Trump's first term.

Trump Extends Truce Before Deadline

Hours after Bolton's criticism, Trump said on Truth Social that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran until its leaders "can come up with a unified proposal," even though the truce had been due to expire on Wednesday. He also said the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would stay in place.

The White House also put Vice President JD Vance's expected trip to Pakistan on hold, with a White House official confirming to Reuters that he would not go on Tuesday as uncertainty swirled over whether Iran would join the next round of talks in Islamabad.

Iran Rejects Talks Under Threat

Trump nonetheless sounded upbeat about diplomacy, saying the U.S. would "end up with a great deal" and warning he was ready to resume bombing if negotiations failed. Iran's side pushed back hard. Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said Tehran would not negotiate "under pressure and threat."

Image via Shutterstock/ paparazzza

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Bolton Says Trump Wants Out of Iran—But Can't Afford to Look Like He's Running

Get Market Alerts

Bolton Says Trump Fears Political Damage

Trump Extends Truce Before Deadline

Iran Rejects Talks Under Threat

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