DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

Bolton: Iran could become Trump's next TACO moment

Jun 19, 2025
John Bolton, former national security advisor to Trump and known for his strong stances on military power, discusses the complexities of Trump's approach to Iran. He doubts Trump's willingness to take drastic military action while questioning his decision-making on NATO. Bolton also navigates the geopolitical implications of the escalating Israel-Iran tensions and the fragility of arms control agreements. His insights reflect the challenging landscape of international relations and the shifting dynamics within U.S. foreign policy.
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INSIGHT

Trump's Indecision on Iran

  • Donald Trump is undecided on Iran and prefers to keep options open rather than make irreversible choices.
  • He hopes that threatening force will push Iran to serious negotiations, but this is unlikely to succeed.
INSIGHT

Uncertainty Over US Military Action

  • Trump hasn't decided if the US will use bunker-busting bombs against Iran but may act if Iran attacks US interests.
  • The US likely won't hand these bombs to Israel but might conduct strikes itself with B-2 bombers.
INSIGHT

Europe's Limited Leverage on Iran

  • Europe’s efforts to negotiate with Iran lack leverage since Iranians don't fear European threats.
  • Germany sees Israel as doing the West’s 'dirty work' by confronting the Iranian regime militarily.
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