Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton has criticized President Donald Trump over the handling of the ongoing conflict with Iran, saying the situation was miscalculated.
The remarks came during an interview published this week as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise. The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered its second week, with military strikes and retaliatory attacks reported across the region.
Bolton warned that comparing Iran to Venezuela was a serious mistake.
Bolton Says Iran Cannot Be Compared to Venezuela
Speaking about the war, Bolton said the U.S. leadership may have believed it could force rapid political change in Iran.
He argued that such thinking ignored major differences between Iran and Venezuela.
According to Bolton, Iran has a deeply rooted political system and strong military institutions. These factors make quick regime change unlikely.
He said the idea that Iran could collapse quickly under pressure was unrealistic.
Conflict in the Middle East Intensifies
The conflict between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran has continued to escalate.
Military strikes have targeted Iranian infrastructure and defense systems. In response, Iran has launched attacks against American and Israeli assets in several locations across the Gulf region.
These developments have raised concerns about wider instability in the Middle East.
Energy markets and global shipping routes have also felt the impact of the growing conflict.
Bolton Questions Trump’s Decision-Making
Bolton also questioned the president’s approach to major foreign policy decisions.
He said Trump often acts quickly without detailed long-term planning.
According to Bolton, effective strategy requires careful preparation and coordination, especially in conflicts involving multiple countries.
Despite his criticism, Bolton praised the performance of U.S. armed forces during the military operations.
He said American troops had carried out their missions professionally and effectively.
Trump Defends Military Operations
President Donald Trump has defended the ongoing campaign.
He said the U.S. military remains the strongest in the world and that operations against Iran are progressing well.
Trump also argued that previous administrations failed to deal firmly with Iran’s leadership.
According to him, current actions address issues that should have been handled many years ago.
Global Attention on the Conflict
The war has drawn international attention as governments watch closely for further escalation.
Security analysts say the coming weeks could determine whether the conflict expands or moves toward negotiations.
For now, Iran has shown no clear sign of backing down, while the United States and its allies continue military pressure.
