Iran FM: Trump Aims for Talks, Bolton Wants Conflict

Says Bolton's 'b-team' is pushing for 'crazy' US intervention

Speaking on Wednesday at The Asia Society, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that he does not believe that President Trump wants a war in Iran, citing Trump’s promise “not to waste another $7 trillion” in the Middle East.

That said, Zarif said he believes that Trump aims to ‘bring us to our knees to talk,” while contrasting him with John Bolton and his “B team” who are angling for “regime change at the very least” in Iran.

Zarif linked Bolton to the Saudi crown prince, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Abu Dhabi crown prince, saying they are all looking for a pretext to convince Trump to take “crazy and adventurous” actions.

Zarif said this didn’t amount to a crisis yet, but that it was making the situation very dangerous, and that accidents could have unforeseen consequences for both sides.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.