Alerts

Iran responds to John Bolton’s departure: “The Policy of Maximum Pressure on Iran Has Failed”

Iran leaders credit “Divine Intervention”
Share this
President Trump kicks Bolton and his plans for Iran over the cliff

Table of Contents

Iran was quick to “celebrate” the dismissal on September 10, 2019, of John Bolton, President Trump’s hawkish national security advisor. Due to his harsh and uncompromising policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran, senior officials in Tehran view his removal as a kind of victory that includes the possibility of change in U.S. policy toward the Islamic regime.

Trump kicks Bolton and his plans for Iran over the cliff
President Trump kicks Bolton and his plans for Iran over the cliff. Next to Trump is Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, who is close to Bolton and is watching in trepidation. (Source: Tasnim news agency, which is associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.)1

From Iran’s point of view, the timing of Bolton’s dismissal could not have been better. It occurred on the Shiite religious holiday, Ashura, which fell on September 10-11 and is the anniversary of the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the prophet Mohammed, at the Battle of Karbala in 680. This occurrence is the guiding tradition behind Shiite Islam, and it is cited to justify the concept of self-sacrifice and martyrdom. Some opinions in Iran perceive this to be a “divine sign” and an indication of divine intervention in the history of Iran and its success in overcoming the obstacles in its way. This is how they perceive the struggles of Hamas and Hizbullah against Israel, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and more. In any case, from Iran’s perspective, this is another sign of the success of its policies and its firm stand against the pressures imposed upon it by the United States.

On September 11, 2019, President Hassan Rouhani indirectly alluded to Bolton’s dismissal at a government meeting, saying (without mentioning names) that, “other sources inciting war should also be removed.” He added that the United States must internalize that incitement to war, and the inclusion within the U.S. government of sources interested in provocation to war will not do it any good, and it should remove (all) the sources calling for war and maximum pressure on Iran.”

The Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala (Wikipedia)

In the spirit of the holiday, Rouhani compared the situation of Iran today to the Battle of Karbala, in which Imam Husayn was killed early in the history of Islam. Rouhani devoted a large part of his speech to the battle and the lessons learned from it. He referred to the many hardships faced by Husayn and his followers during the mythical battle, which is part of Shiite tradition. Rouhani stressed that the logic behind Husayn’s heroism was “to be a hero and act with fairness,” and this is the path that Iran follows today, “while the enemy (the United States) exerts maximum pressure. We choose the path (that Imam Husayn laid out for us) of firm and fair resistance.” President Rouhani alluded to the three final stages of his policy of reducing Iran’s obligations to the nuclear deal, saying that if the other sides would continue to fail in the implementation of their obligations, Iran would take additional steps to reduce its responsibilities.

The Iranian president referred to the price the Iranian people is paying for its firm stand, the sacrifice and terrible suffering for the sake of Iran as a result of the “harshest economic situation since the establishment of the Islamic Republic.” He added that this may be the peak of the country’s hardships, as the situation has somewhat stabilized and this is attributed to “the firm stand of the people and the government against their enemies.”

Newspaper headlines in Iran shrieked, “Chaos at the White House,” “Bolton Suddenly Removed,” and “Was Bolton Sacrificed on the Iranian Altar?”

Shargh headline
Shargh headline: Was Bolton sacrificed on the Iranian altar? The picture was taken at the Ashura celebrations.2

Other senior figures in Iran, such as the foreign minister and Iran’s UN ambassador, have reacted cautiously and have refrained from mocking Bolton. Maybe this is an attempt to avoid harming the chance of a meeting in the near future on the periphery of the UN General Assembly between President Rouhani and President Trump. UN Ambassador Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that Iran’s policy (in anything to do with conducting talks with the United States) is clear and does not depend on changes in the U.S. government: “Until the policy of economic terror exerted by the U.S. government against Iran is abandoned, there will be no place for negotiations.”

Rouhani’s adviser and head of the Center for Strategic Studies, Hesamodin Ashna stated, “Bolton’s removal to the fringes (with the regard to policymaking) and his eventual (political) ‘elimination’ were a clear sign of the failure of the U.S. government’s strategy of maximum pressure in the face of Iran’s creative resistance, which can without a doubt cope with U.S. pressure and not give in.”3 Ashna also lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: “With your moves, you have proven over and over again that you are the wrong man due to the greatness of the hour for anything relating to fateful decisions and international agreements…. But you don’t care…. Indeed, it will be your boss (President Trump) who will pay the price.”4

Spokesman for the Guardian Council of the Constitution Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei tweeted, “While the removal of one person or another won’t change the policy of the U.S. government, Bolton’s dismissal is a sign that the policy of ‘maximum pressure’ has failed.”5 Government spokesman Ali Rabiei stated that with the removal of Bolton, who was the leading promoter of the policy of economic terror against Iran, the White House would have fewer obstacles in its understanding of life in Iran.

Other sources in the regime “reminded” Bolton of an incident when he forecast several months ago that Iran would collapse, and they tweeted, “We are still standing, and you have fallen, like many enemies of Iran before you.”

* * *

Notes

JCFA Iran-Syria Desk

Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.







Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close