U.S. national security adviser John Bolton attends a media briefing during the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
May 06, 2019
In a late Sunday statement warning--without any evidence whatsoever--of "troubling and escalatory" actions by the Iranian government, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton used the scheduled deployment of an American aircraft carrier and bomber task force to the Middle East to threaten Iran with military action.
"Bolton wants war. He will do any provocation to get war."
--Trita Parsi, National Iranian American Council
The United States, said Bolton, "is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force."
Foreign policy analysts and international observers were quick to point out that the Lincoln Strike Group's deployment was announced nearly a month ago--a fact critics highlighted as further evidence that Bolton is willing to use any and every opportunity to move the U.S. closer to war with Iran.
According to The Guardian, the U.S. "withdrew its B-1 bombers from the Middle East in March for maintenance and upgrades amid concerns the bomber force was over-stretched. While such changes in global deployment are made regularly, it is rare for the announcement of such deployments to be made by a national security advisor rather than the Pentagon."
"Bolton wants war. He will do any provocation to get war," tweeted Trita Parsi, founder of the National Iranian American Council.
Stephen Miles, director of Win Without War, said Bolton's statement is "the latest indication that this administration is running full speed directly into a major war with Iran."
"This is Bush and Iraq in 2002," said Miles. "The time to stop their disastrous war plans is now!"
\u201cBolton is itching for a war he can send other people to fight in. https://t.co/bEcwJ15whU\u201d— Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org (@Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org) 1557105626
Bolton's inflammatory statement came as the U.S. continues to intensify sanctions against Iran as part of its so-called "maximum pressure" campaign, which is directed by the national security adviser and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Following Bolton's statement late Sunday, Pompeo--also without citing a shred of evidence--echoed Bolton's claim of "escalatory actions from the Iranians."
"The Trump regime continues to threaten the planet with impunity," tweeted journalist Ben Norton.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
In a late Sunday statement warning--without any evidence whatsoever--of "troubling and escalatory" actions by the Iranian government, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton used the scheduled deployment of an American aircraft carrier and bomber task force to the Middle East to threaten Iran with military action.
"Bolton wants war. He will do any provocation to get war."
--Trita Parsi, National Iranian American Council
The United States, said Bolton, "is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force."
Foreign policy analysts and international observers were quick to point out that the Lincoln Strike Group's deployment was announced nearly a month ago--a fact critics highlighted as further evidence that Bolton is willing to use any and every opportunity to move the U.S. closer to war with Iran.
According to The Guardian, the U.S. "withdrew its B-1 bombers from the Middle East in March for maintenance and upgrades amid concerns the bomber force was over-stretched. While such changes in global deployment are made regularly, it is rare for the announcement of such deployments to be made by a national security advisor rather than the Pentagon."
"Bolton wants war. He will do any provocation to get war," tweeted Trita Parsi, founder of the National Iranian American Council.
Stephen Miles, director of Win Without War, said Bolton's statement is "the latest indication that this administration is running full speed directly into a major war with Iran."
"This is Bush and Iraq in 2002," said Miles. "The time to stop their disastrous war plans is now!"
\u201cBolton is itching for a war he can send other people to fight in. https://t.co/bEcwJ15whU\u201d— Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org (@Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org) 1557105626
Bolton's inflammatory statement came as the U.S. continues to intensify sanctions against Iran as part of its so-called "maximum pressure" campaign, which is directed by the national security adviser and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Following Bolton's statement late Sunday, Pompeo--also without citing a shred of evidence--echoed Bolton's claim of "escalatory actions from the Iranians."
"The Trump regime continues to threaten the planet with impunity," tweeted journalist Ben Norton.
In a late Sunday statement warning--without any evidence whatsoever--of "troubling and escalatory" actions by the Iranian government, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton used the scheduled deployment of an American aircraft carrier and bomber task force to the Middle East to threaten Iran with military action.
"Bolton wants war. He will do any provocation to get war."
--Trita Parsi, National Iranian American Council
The United States, said Bolton, "is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force."
Foreign policy analysts and international observers were quick to point out that the Lincoln Strike Group's deployment was announced nearly a month ago--a fact critics highlighted as further evidence that Bolton is willing to use any and every opportunity to move the U.S. closer to war with Iran.
According to The Guardian, the U.S. "withdrew its B-1 bombers from the Middle East in March for maintenance and upgrades amid concerns the bomber force was over-stretched. While such changes in global deployment are made regularly, it is rare for the announcement of such deployments to be made by a national security advisor rather than the Pentagon."
"Bolton wants war. He will do any provocation to get war," tweeted Trita Parsi, founder of the National Iranian American Council.
Stephen Miles, director of Win Without War, said Bolton's statement is "the latest indication that this administration is running full speed directly into a major war with Iran."
"This is Bush and Iraq in 2002," said Miles. "The time to stop their disastrous war plans is now!"
\u201cBolton is itching for a war he can send other people to fight in. https://t.co/bEcwJ15whU\u201d— Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org (@Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org) 1557105626
Bolton's inflammatory statement came as the U.S. continues to intensify sanctions against Iran as part of its so-called "maximum pressure" campaign, which is directed by the national security adviser and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Following Bolton's statement late Sunday, Pompeo--also without citing a shred of evidence--echoed Bolton's claim of "escalatory actions from the Iranians."
"The Trump regime continues to threaten the planet with impunity," tweeted journalist Ben Norton.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.