John Bolton, the former national security adviser and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, dismissed ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran as futile, declaring in a recent interview that such meetings are a “waste of oxygen.”

John Bolton on upcoming U.S-Iran negotiations:

These meetings are a waste of oxygen.

There is simply no room for agreement between Iran and the United States on this.

I don’t know what Trump is going to do, but I don’t think anything is going to come out of these… pic.twitter.com/JZrvxsgA6p

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 5, 2026

Bolton made the comments amid preparations for talks aimed at addressing tensions, with location set to be in either Oman or Turkey. He expressed no optimism for any breakthrough, arguing that fundamental differences leave no realistic path to agreement. “There’s simply no room for agreement between Iran and the United States on this,” Bolton said. “This was entirely predictable, and I think it’s both sides checking a box.” He added that the negotiations would yield nothing regardless of venue, describing them as a “waste of time.”

The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened friction following widespread protests in Iran, which have faced a severe crackdown by authorities. President Trump previously issued warnings to Iranian leaders to halt violence against demonstrators, while encouraging protesters to persist and signaling potential external support with statements that “help is on its way.”

Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT…

— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 13, 2026

Bolton highlighted Trump’s drawn “red line” on the killings, noting that the administration’s credibility now hangs in the balance. He suggested that the president’s statements implied a commitment to action if the line was crossed, though he cautioned that Trump’s ultimate intentions remain uncertain. “Nobody knows what Trump will do,” Bolton said. He advocated for regime change as the appropriate strategic objective, pointing to Trump’s own recent indications in that direction.

Bolton described the current Iranian regime as at its weakest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, citing broad discontent across economic, generational, gender, and ethnic lines. He argued that dissent has spread even within the Revolutionary Guard and regular military ranks, creating conditions where defections could accelerate if the regime appears vulnerable. To exploit this fragility, he recommended greater U.S. cooperation with Iranian opposition groups and targeted military strikes against key instruments of state power, particularly the Revolutionary Guard, Basij militia, and related entities that enforce internal oppression and threaten regional neighbors like Israel and Gulf Arab states.

Such actions, in Bolton’s view, would weaken the regime’s repressive apparatus, signal the potential end of its rule, and embolden internal challengers. He emphasized that the Revolutionary Guard effectively constitutes the core power structure today, controlling nuclear and ballistic missile programs along with significant economic sectors, while the ayatollah provides ideological legitimacy. Fracturing leadership and targeting these elements could rapidly destabilize the system, he contended, drawing parallels to incomplete efforts elsewhere, such as in Venezuela, where he argued partial measures have fallen short.

Bolton referenced past military engagements, including Israel’s focus during a prior 12-day conflict on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities alongside nuclear sites, and U.S. actions limited primarily to nuclear facilities. He maintained that those efforts ended prematurely and that additional targets—such as Revolutionary Guard headquarters and military bases—remain viable. He expressed confidence in U.S. capabilities for precise, large-scale strikes but left open whether the current administration would pursue them.

The interview reflects broader uncertainty over the administration’s Iran policy at a moment when diplomatic overtures coexist with military posturing and internal Iranian unrest. Bolton portrayed negotiations as inherently unproductive given the regime’s intransigence, urging instead a more confrontational approach to capitalize on perceived vulnerabilities and advance long-term regional stability.