Bolton Urges Biden to Directly Target Iran, Advocating for Stronger Messaging and Strategic Action
Expressing concerns about Iran's red lines and the need for a more impactful response, Bolton suggested targeting various locations within Iran, including Quds Force bases and air defense systems.
Former national security advisor John Bolton is urging the Biden administration to authorize direct strikes on Iran following the recent attack in Jordan that claimed the lives of three American soldiers. Bolton believes that while the US military's retaliatory attacks were the "right thing to do," he questions their sufficiency.
Biden's failure to establish any degree of deterrence against Iran culminated in today's actions. Killing Americans is a red line that should be answered with strikes directly at Iran, not proxies. They need to know the seriousness of our objection to their belligerence. Please… — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 2, 2024
Expressing concerns about Iran's red lines and the need for a more impactful response, Bolton suggested targeting various locations within Iran, including Quds Force bases and air defense systems. He emphasized the importance of sending a strong message to the Iranian government and proposed that if necessary, more messages could be sent.
The US military's initial retaliation involved airstrikes on numerous targets in Iraq and Syria associated with Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Over 85 targets were hit across seven locations, including intelligence centers, missile launchers, and ammunition storage sites.
Bolton criticized the chosen approach, deeming it "just not a significant enough retaliation." He also accused the Biden administration of inadequate actions throughout the crisis, which began with Hamas launching an offensive into Israel on October 7, leading to the current Gaza conflict.
President Biden, in response to the recent strikes, pledged to continue such actions at times and places of their choosing, emphasizing the US's non-seeking of conflict but warning of retaliation against those harming Americans. Iraq condemned the US-initiated assaults, claiming a violation of sovereignty and accusing the US of disavowing legal responsibility.
Bolton, on Twitter, attributed the latest strikes to Biden's failure to establish deterrence against Iran. The situation remains tense, with Biden vowing to respond to threats against Americans and Iraq condemning the perceived violation of sovereignty.
