John Bolton Blasts Donald Trumps Response To Irans Attack On Israel As Delusional

John Bolton, a former national security adviser in Donald Trump s administration who has since turned into one of the former presidents staunchest critics, on Sunday took issue with his former boss assessment that Iran wouldnt have launched its attack on Israel if he was still in the White House.

Early Sunday, Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles toward Israel, which the country said it managed to intercept with the help of its allies, including the U.S. and the U.K. The attack appeared to be in retaliation over the killings of two generals of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard earlier this month by an airstrike that targeted the countrys consulate in Damascus, Syria, has been attributed to Israel. 

The incident resurfaced fears about a wider conflict erupting in the region as Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Trump, the presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party in Novembers election, during a campaign rally over the weekend, suggested Tehrans attack on Israel, came as a direct result of what he described as the United States weakness, claiming it would not have happened if we were in office.

But Bolton said the former president is clueless about how to respond to international crises involving U.S. adversaries.

I just think Trump is delusional on this point, Bolton told CNN s State of the Union. Its a point that nobody can refute or confirm one way or the other. He doesnt have any idea what to do in the Middle East in this situation. Remember when he threatened fire and fury against North Korea? Within a year he had fallen in love with Kim Jong Un. So hes not qualified to be president.

Meanwhile, Bolton disagreed with how Joe Biden s administration has managed the ongoing tensions. Washington has reportedly called on Israel to exercise restraint as it weighs a potential response, noting that the U.S. will not be drawn into offensive actions targeting Iran.

If Joe Biden, as some press reports have it, is urging the Israelis not to retaliate at all, he is an embarrassment to the United States, Bolton said. This is an American interest to make sure that Iran, which is the principal threat to international peace and security in the region, is at a minimum put in its place to spare Israel, to spare the Gulf Arabs, to spare us from the threat that they pose.

Asked by CNNs Jake Tapper why he opposes a diplomatic solution to the current crisis between Israel and Iran, Bolton argued Tehrans attack in itself demonstrates that deterrence has failed.

If Iran doesnt feel the pain, I think its only going to get worse for Israel, Bolton added.

Meanwhile, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz on Sunday said his country will exact a price from Iran at a time of its own choosing.

This event is not over, Gantz said. The strategic alliance and the regional cooperation system that we built and stood its significant test need to be strengthened precisely now.