Bolton: If Iran's Policy Does Not Change, More Sanctions Will Follow

John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, states that Washington has disrupted the Islamic Republic's efforts to "impose its demands" in the region and warns that if Iran's regional policy does not change, the U.S. will find more sanctions and other methods. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal with world powers in May of this year, the sanctions that had been suspended against Tehran have been reactivated, and a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry and oil exports is set to begin on November 4. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, October 1, Bolton discussed President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the JCPOA and once again warned Iran. He said, "The President's decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran has had a profound impact on Iran and the region as a whole; and with the tougher sanctions being imposed in November, we believe we have been able to disrupt their efforts to impose their demands on the countries in the region." He added, "From our perspective, the new sanctions that are on the way will have significant economic and political impacts domestically; and this is what we want. We want major changes in the behavior of the Iranian regime; and if they do not do this, they will face more consequences, as we will find more sanctions to impose on them and will find other ways to exert maximum pressure." The Fox News host then asked, "So you think if they do not comply with the demands, more sanctions will be on the way?" Bolton's response was, "Without a doubt. Do not doubt it." The National Security Advisor did not provide further details about finding additional sanctions beyond the current ones and the oil sanctions set to begin in November. U.S. officials have repeatedly emphasized that the goal of the sanctions is to "change the behavior" of the Iranian government, not to overthrow it. However, Rudy Giuliani, the President's lawyer, said on Saturday that he believes U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran will lead to a "successful revolution" in the country. Giuliani stated at a meeting of the "Organization of Iranian American Communities," "I do not know when we will overthrow them. It could be in a few days, a few months, or a few years. But it will happen." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also recently stated that Washington wants Iran to no longer be the "largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world." However, there is no sign of their willingness to move toward this decision. In recent weeks, they have taken actions against U.S. interests in Basra and Baghdad. In response to comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who implicated some regional countries and their "American masters" in the recent attack on Iran's armed forces parade in Ahvaz, he said, "He should think about the security of his own people instead of making the world unsafe." Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, also stated that by withdrawing from the JCPOA and reinstating sanctions against Iran, the U.S. has prevented Iran from accessing "billions of dollars for carrying out violent acts," and with the collapse of the JCPOA, the regime's economy has also faced problems, resulting in them being "desperate." Iranian officials have emphasized that they have no intention of changing their regional policy or negotiating with the U.S.