During a video conference with PTI, he also discussed the extensive protests in Iran, the situation in Venezuela, and the recent tariff threats made by US President Donald Trump against nations trading with Iran.
“Introducing additional tariffs is a terrible idea. It seems like a spur-of-the-moment decision by Trump… Secondary tariffs aren’t the answer to dealing with that regime.”
Bolton remarked that Iran is in severe economic trouble, attributing it to 45 years of “mismanagement by the Ayatollahs” and highlighting the significant impact of oil sanctions.
“Our focus should be on achieving regime change in the most efficient way, minimizing harm to the Iranian populace. Tariffs are irrelevant to this goal,” he added.
On Tuesday, as massive protests erupted in Iran, Trump announced a 25% tariff on countries trading with Tehran that would take effect “immediately.”
Activists have reported that the death toll from the nationwide protests in Iran has now exceeded 3,000.
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The protests, which began late last month in Tehran following a drastic drop in the value of the rial, have spread across all 31 provinces, transitioning from economic grievances to a call for political reform.
When asked about potential US actions regarding Iran, Bolton replied, “Trump needs to clarify his objective before considering the next steps. The (Iranian) regime is weaker now than it has been since the 1979 revolution, facing challenges on economic, social, and ethnic fronts. The demonstrations reflect their deep crises.” “I believe military action can serve two purposes: to incapacitate key assets that the regime uses to oppress its people, and to convey to the Iranian populace that the US is supportive of their struggle,” he explained when asked if military force should be used against Iran.
Regarding the stalled India-US trade agreement, Bolton stated, “There’s a lot at stake for both India and the United States in these trade discussions. The slow resolution of existing issues has been a significant concern.” “Although trade is critical for our citizens’ well-being, we also have significant strategic topics to address,” he added.
Bolton acknowledged that all major economies are grappling with trade issues, stating it “comes with the territory.” He served as NSA under President Trump from 2018-2019 and later became a critic of Trump.
He emphasized the need for continuous close consultation among relevant authorities to navigate the situation while allowing leaders to maintain a broad perspective.
“From the US’s perspective, Trump’s entire tariff initiative has been a major misstep. I sincerely wish it would dissipate; the Supreme Court may help with that,” he said.
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“This approach has been more damaging than beneficial for the US. The impact on US-India relations serves as a prime example of how negative effects on trade can overshadow adverse impacts on overall relationships,” he asserted.
In August, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India, including an additional 25% duty on Indian purchases of Russian crude oil.
When asked about Trump’s outreach to Pakistan and its potential implications for New Delhi, Bolton said, “Following the 9/11 attacks, the US transformed what was once a ‘hyphenated relationship’.” “Our relations with India were often contingent on our ties with Pakistan and vice versa—a situation unsatisfactory for all three nations. The US-India partnership is, in my view, among the most critical strategic relationships of the 21st century,” he stated.
However, managing relations with Pakistan remains “important,” particularly given the increasing influence of China within Pakistan and the military, which raises concerns for India,” he noted.
Concerning Venezuela, he mentioned, “I believe we were entirely justified in looking to overthrow the regime in Venezuela.”
