Member of Parliament: The Ultimate Goal of Recent Changes in the U.S. Government is the Overthrow of the Islamic Republic

While several members of the Iranian Parliament considered the changes in the U.S. government as a "sign of serious determination" by Donald Trump to exit the JCPOA or increase pressure on Iran to amend the nuclear agreement, a senior member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly deemed the ultimate goal of the recent appointments in the U.S. government as the "overthrow of the Islamic Republic." Hossein Naqavi Hosseini, spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament, stated in an interview with ISNA on Sunday, April 5, that the changes in the U.S. Secretary of State and the appointment of John Bolton as National Security Advisor to Donald Trump are "indicative of targeted actions by the U.S. government against the Islamic Republic of Iran" and that "their ultimate goal is the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran." This parliament member described the "negative stance of U.S. officials towards the nuclear agreement," "protests against human rights conditions in Iran," and "objections to missile programs and the actions of the Islamic Republic in the region" as entirely "in line with the overthrow plan" and stated that under these circumstances, the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic should become "more revolutionary." Donald Trump, the President of the United States, dismissed Rex Tillerson about two weeks ago and introduced Mike Pompeo as his replacement to Congress. Trump also announced two days ago, while thanking Herbert McMaster for his services, that John Bolton would be appointed as National Security Advisor at the White House. While the spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament has considered the recent appointments in the U.S. government as "in line with the overthrow of the Islamic Republic," another member of this commission stated that Iran would take "reciprocal action" against potential problems. Mojtaba Zolnour, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said on Sunday that Bolton's appointment "will certainly bring problems for Iran," but the Islamic Republic will respond "proportionately" to the behaviors of Donald Trump and John Bolton. A day earlier, Aladdin Boroujerdi, the head of this commission, stated that in response to Bolton's new appointment in the U.S., relations with China and Russia should be strengthened. John Bolton, who briefly served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during George W. Bush's presidency, is known for his hardline positions against the Islamic Republic and North Korea. He has previously stated that the U.S. government should support efforts for "regime change" in Iran, as such an approach is the "only long-term solution" to counter the threats posed by the Islamic Republic in the Middle East. However, officials in Hassan Rouhani's government have yet to react to Bolton's appointment. Reuters, citing some experts and analysts, described Bolton's appointment as "another nail in the coffin of the JCPOA." On the other hand, several members of the Iranian Parliament, including Jalal Mirzaei and Jalil Rahimi, stated in an interview with the "House of the Nation" news agency that the goal of Bolton's appointment is a "sign of serious determination" by the U.S. President to exit the JCPOA or "increase pressure on Iran to amend this agreement." Additionally, some members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, including Jawad Karimi Qodousi and Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, have also stated that continuing the JCPOA without the U.S. is impossible. Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, has stated that if the "catastrophic flaws" of the JCPOA are not resolved, he will no longer extend the suspension of nuclear sanctions. The deadline set by the U.S. President expires on May 12, which corresponds to 22 Ordibehesht 97.