WASHINGTON: In response to the recent drone attack killing three US service members in Jordan, former national security adviser John Bolton called for “disproportionate” strikes inside Iran.
In an interview with CBS News’ Catherine Herridge, Bolton emphasized the need to impose significant pain on Iran to deter future attacks.
He advocated targeting Iranian naval vessels in the Red Sea, Quds Force bases in western Iran, and other air defense locations.
“To be clear, I don’t think it should be proportionate. I think it should be disproportionate. That’s how you create deterrence in the mind of your adversary, that the cost to them of attacking our forces is so high they won’t do it again,” he said.
Bolton criticized the Biden administration’s response, stating it was insufficient and failed to establish deterrence against Iran.
Amid calls from GOP lawmakers to retaliate against Iran, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that the US is exploring response options while expressing a desire to avoid wider conflict.
