Bolton: Trump’s Iran ceasefire only benefits the regime

[0:00] Ambassador, the president again today insisted Iran badly wants to make a deal, [0:03] saying the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is working as planned. [0:06] Do you believe that's true? [0:09] Well, right after saying Iran badly wants to make a deal, [0:13] he said that there's a small problem because we don't know who the leaders are [0:17] and who's authorized to say that. [0:19] So I don't know who he thinks he's talking to. [0:21] In fact, I do think that the Iranian leadership is badly fractured at the top. [0:28] And I think that's a consequence, obviously, of the six weeks of bombing [0:33] and the number of leaders that have been eliminated. [0:36] That, to me, is a sign that the collapse of the regime is making progress [0:40] and that we should go back at it, not talk to them, but continue the job, [0:45] end the ceasefire and keep the pressure on. [0:48] The ceasefire essentially only benefits the regime. [0:52] We heard the president say today that the power of the blockade is incredible. [0:56] It is, in your view, I mean, is the blockade a military action? [1:00] Because Secretary Hegseth said today that because there's a ceasefire, [1:03] the president isn't bound by the 60-day deadline to get a congressional approval [1:06] as required by law, that the 60-day clock, which they are right up against, is paused. [1:12] Is that your understanding? [1:16] No, I don't think so. [1:17] Look, I think one of the reasons in the Cuban Missile Crisis [1:20] that the Kennedy administration was so anxious to call what they did to Cuba a quarantine [1:25] because a blockade would have been an act of war. [1:28] So maybe what Hegseth means is that we have a quarantine on Iran, which is fine. [1:33] Of course, Iran is also committing an act of war by closing the Strait of Hormuz. [1:38] I think it's interesting for people who really care about international law, [1:41] when a littoral power tries to close a navigable waterway like that [1:46] and disrupt freedom of the seas, that's a violation of international law. [1:51] I'd like to know who's protesting what Iran is doing here. [1:55] The defense secretary said more than once this week, [1:58] said that the greatest adversary the U.S. is facing during this war are lawmakers, [2:04] Democrats, largely a small number of Republicans as well. [2:08] Do you agree with that? [2:11] I mean, is that the greatest adversary? [2:14] No, I think that's embarrassing, actually. [2:16] No, I think it's embarrassing. [2:17] I mean, it undercuts Hegseth's whole case. [2:19] It undercuts the administration's case. [2:21] I think many of the criticisms from the Democratic side are wrong, [2:25] including even some criticisms of Hegseth are wrong. [2:29] But this is not civil discourse, really, on either side of these two hearings today, [2:34] yesterday and today. [2:36] What is the greatest adversary? [2:38] Well, the Iranian regime, they're the ones seeking nuclear weapons. [2:43] They're the ones who are the largest state sponsor of international terrorism. [2:47] They're the ones who are closing the Strait of Hormuz. [2:50] I think that's pretty clear. [2:53] I also heard the president also said in an interview to Greta Van Susteren [2:56] that the war is essentially over, which is something he has said before. [3:02] He just wants a little bit better terms. [3:05] That doesn't seem to be reality. [3:09] Well, I think it's market manipulation. [3:12] Everything's fine. [3:13] They're going to have a deal any time now. [3:15] Blockade's working great. [3:16] Everything's fine. [3:17] Corinthians, get that price of oil down. [3:20] That's what it's about. [3:21] I think so. [3:24] I think this is happy talk to calm the markets down. [3:27] There was a big spike in oil prices today, and I think he's reacting to it. [3:32] If the government is as fractured, if the regime in Iran is as fractured, [3:38] and certainly it would be understandable why it would be, [3:40] given the blow that they have taken, do you believe that this is the time [3:49] to continue military action, not diplomatic action? [3:54] Is that correct? [3:55] Of course, yes. [3:56] When they're down, keep pressuring them. [3:58] Now, there are many other things that need to be done [4:00] that I don't think the administration did before the attack began [4:04] and don't seem to be doing now to help the Iranian opposition, [4:08] because that's how, without boots on the ground, [4:11] and I don't think we're going to see any in any substantial numbers, [4:14] it's helping the people of Iran, helping the opponents of the regime [4:17] with resources, weapons, communications, money, [4:21] to help them make the point inside the country [4:25] that the regime's days are numbered. [4:27] As I say, I don't think we're doing any of that. [4:29] I hope the Israelis are. [4:31] The president has continued to say, [4:34] talking about the importance of Iran not having nuclear weapons. [4:37] It seemed like for a while the priority was simply [4:41] get the straight back open. [4:43] What do you think is the number one priority [4:46] for the administration right now? [4:49] I really have no idea. [4:51] I mean, it has shifted several times, [4:53] and I think that helps obscure the finding what the right answer is. [4:58] I do think it's important to open the Strait of Hormuz. [5:00] I think it's important to open it militarily, [5:03] because I think the Iranians need to see [5:05] that we can reestablish deterrence. [5:08] They have to understand they can't open and close the Strait as they will. [5:12] Otherwise, if we allow this to go back and be resolved diplomatically, [5:17] the regime is going to think it can turn the Strait of Hormuz on and off [5:20] like a light switch, and that's unacceptable. [5:23] Tomorrow marks 60 days since the first American strikes on Iranian targets. [5:27] And sources, both privately and publicly, [5:30] are saying it's a deadline that matters under U.S. law. [5:33] The War Powers Resolution of 1973 gives the president 60 days [5:38] to either get congressional authorization to continue to use military force, [5:42] or the president should ask for a 30-day extension, [5:46] but only if he needs that time to withdraw American forces. [5:50] As we approach 60 days, [5:51] more than 20 American naval ships are currently patrolling the Middle East. [5:55] And when you see video of what enforcing that blockade [5:58] that's in place right now, Iranian ports looks like, [6:00] Keep in mind, this law applies to any U.S. forces involved [6:04] in what is described as, quote, hostilities. [6:07] Now, the president has not indicated that he's planning to go to Congress tonight. [6:11] And while not directly addressing the 60 days deadline, [6:14] he did make clear today how he feels about those repeated attempts [6:17] by congressional Democrats to rein him in. [6:20] They go again and again to War Power. [6:24] I'm negotiating a deal with Iran. [6:27] And every week, every three days, [6:31] they put in a thing that the war should stop. [6:34] And people ask me, how the hell do you negotiate like that? [6:38] You're destroying them. [6:41] But Democrats might not be the president's only problem [6:44] when it comes to the war in Iran. [6:46] On Capitol Hill today, the 60-day deadline [6:48] has even some Republicans putting the White House on notice. [6:51] I do not accept that we should engage [6:55] in open-ended military action [6:57] without clear direction or accountability. [7:01] Congress has a role. [7:02] Congress has to step up and fulfill that role, [7:05] that obligation that the Constitution assigns to us. [7:08] The 60 days is a trigger. [7:11] After 60 days, in my view, [7:14] the president has to obtain congressional approval [7:19] or Congress can block it. [7:22] Those are the two choices. [7:24] It just can't go on forever. [7:25] If they don't want to have a discussion about AUMF, [7:28] then we need to have a discussion about an extension [7:30] under the War Powers Resolution. [7:31] That's going to require details. [7:34] That's the view from some Republican senators [7:36] on Capitol Hill today, [7:38] where Secretary Hegseth, I should note, [7:39] returned to face more questions from Congress about the war. [7:43] He offered this legal analysis of the 60-day mark. [7:46] On Iran, ultimately, I would defer to the White House [7:51] and White House counsel on that. [7:52] However, we are in a ceasefire right now, [7:55] which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses [7:58] or stops in a ceasefire. [7:59] So you're not in. [8:01] It's our understanding, just so you know. [8:03] Okay, well, I do not believe the statute would support that.