Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned that releasing frozen Iranian assets as part of a potential U.S. deal with Iran would strengthen the country's hardline Revolutionary Guard and undermine U.S. national security interests.

Bolton Warns Against Unfreezing Iran Assets

On Sunday, Bolton posted on X that releasing frozen Iranian assets back to Iran's government would empower what he called the "religious fanatics running the IRGC," arguing it would be "completely contradictory to our interests."

In a CNN interview clip he shared, Bolton expanded on that view, criticizing discussions around unfreezing Iranian funds held abroad under sanctions. He said returning the money would directly strengthen the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran's most powerful military and security organization.

"If you unfreeze those assets… you would simply strengthen the hand of the religious fanatics running the Revolutionary Guard," Bolton said. He added that such a move would allow them to "rebuild their nuclear program, rebuild their terrorist organizations, rebuild their ballistic missile capability."

Bolton also suggested that any agreement resembling the Obama-era nuclear deal could pose major strategic risks, arguing that it would empower the same forces U.S. policy has sought to contain.

The CNN segment also touched on domestic political pressures shaping foreign policy. It included remarks from Donald Trump, who said he does not base decisions on election cycles and focuses on national interest.

Iran–US Tensions Escalate

Last week, President Trump left a White House meeting without confirming approval of a proposed ceasefire extension, later stating conditions for any deal, including preventing Iran's nuclear development and restricting enriched materials. He also said no money would be exchanged for now.

Military clashes followed, with the U.S. shooting down Iranian drones and striking a ground site, while the IRGC said it retaliated against a U.S. airbase. Trump dismissed reports of a draft agreement and denied claims about the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, the IRGC reported downing a U.S. drone, and Iranian officials renewed demands for billions in frozen assets as part of negotiations.