Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton asserted that President Joe Biden holds “an important responsibility” for the brazen Iranian assault on Israel.
In a live reaction on Newsmax as Iran’s drones and missiles reportedly targeted Israel, Bolton criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation. He argued that the administration failed to recognize the broader Iranian strategy, known as the “Ring of Fire,” which includes the recent Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Bolton warned that the current Iranian assault, which involves cruise missiles and over 100 drones, demands a robust response from the United States in support of Israel. He urged the Biden administration to provide active assistance to Israel and to consider supporting an Israeli strike on Iranian territory in retaliation.
The former national security adviser expressed concern that Iran perceives the Biden administration as weak and believes it will not support Israeli retaliation. He stressed the need for the United States to help Israel defend against the attack and to address the failure of deterrence against Iran’s aggression.
Comparing the assault on Israel to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Bolton emphasized the risk of a nuclear-armed Iran in the near future. He warned that while the current drones and missiles may not be nuclear, Israel cannot be certain of Iran’s intentions in future attacks.
To reestablish deterrence, Bolton argued for a disproportionate response to demonstrate to Iran the consequences of their actions. He asserted that a strong and decisive response is necessary to prevent future attacks and protect Israel’s security.