Former U.S.National Security Advisor John Bolton warned that Iran is taking advantage of what he describes as President Donald Trump’s strong desire to reach a negotiated agreement in ongoing tensions with Tehran.

In comments made during a CNN interview, Bolton argued that Iranian leaders have perceived Trump as “desperate” to secure a deal that he can present as a political and economic victory, including potential benefits such as lower global oil and gasoline prices.

According to Bolton, this perceived urgency is shaping how Iran engages in negotiations, allowing its leaders to prolong talks and delay concessions while strengthening their own strategic position.Bolton also criticized what he sees as a long-standing belief held by Trump that most international disputes can be resolved through deal-making.

He suggested that this approach may not apply to adversaries like Iran, which he characterized as ideologically driven and resistant to compromise in the same way as traditional negotiating partners.

In his view, Iranian leadership does not share the same incentive structure that Trump assumes, and therefore may be deliberately stalling negotiations to gain leverage over time.The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions and efforts to manage regional security concerns involving Iran.Bolton’s comments highlight internal disagreements among former and current U.S.foreign policy officials over the effectiveness of negotiation strategies versus more hardline approaches.

The discussion also reflects broader debates about how the United States should engage with adversarial governments that may prioritize ideological or strategic goals over economic or diplomatic incentives.

Ultimately, Bolton framed the situation as one in which perceived urgency from Washington could be shaping the behavior of Tehran in ways that complicate efforts to reach a lasting agreement.