Former National Security Adviser John Bolton on Sunday harshly criticized the Biden administration for publicly opposing the possibility of Israel attacking Iran's nuclear facilities or oil fields.
In an interview on NewsNation's “The Hill,” host Chris Stilwald asked Bolton about President Biden's comments on Friday, and Biden told reporters: ”
Bolton said that when he first heard these remarks, as well as Biden's comments opposing Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, “my first reaction was just incompetence, or mental capacity, or incompetence. It was a lack of that,” he said.
But Bolton said he believes Biden is now trying to prevent widespread conflict ahead of the November election.
“But I think it's pretty clear that he's trying to put pressure on Israel because he said a lot of things, including one day last week when he said there would be no attack on Israel tonight. I think he's trying to put him in a box. I think all Mr. Bolton is concerned about is making sure this doesn't become a bigger problem than it was before November 5th. ” Bolton said he believed oil prices were “one aspect” of that movement.
Bolton suggested that he didn't think Israel would necessarily follow U.S. advice, noting that Israel was in a difficult situation with a “tough neighbor” and said, “They're not going to do anything to suit Joe Biden's electoral concerns.” You can't really coordinate what you're trying to do,” he added. They will make a decision in Jerusalem when they think they are ready and have reached an agreement within their cabinet. ”
Mr. Bolton also criticized Mr. Biden for intervening in a public debate about what steps Israel should take now.
“I think it's wrong for the president of the United States to talk publicly about what America's allies will do against America's enemies,” Bolton said. “If our allies did something like that to us, we would never be grateful.”
The Hill has asked the White House for a response.
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