Politics

Bolton Criticizes Vance’s Iran‑War Blame as Political Misstep

By PTI

Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Vice President J. D. Vance is trying to distance himself from President Donald Trump by blaming the Republicans’ midterm losses on the Iran war as he prepares for a possible 2028 presidential bid. In an interview with PTI Videos, Bolton called Vance’s remarks “very wrong” and a “big political mistake,” arguing that Republicans ignored broader voter dissatisfaction with the economy, rising prices, and Trump’s tariff policies. He said the Iran war was only one factor behind voter discontent and that Trump’s tariffs contributed to persistently high prices. Bolton noted that Trump had promised during the 2024 campaign to address economic concerns better than the Biden administration but failed to deliver after taking office. He added that the Iran war pushed up international oil and gas prices, increasing energy costs for American consumers, and that Trump did not attempt to address higher gasoline prices. Bolton described the Democrats’ strong midterm performance as a “stinging repudiation” of Trump, saying voters across party lines were tired of his leadership, though the results did not necessarily endorse the blue team. He said Trump was unlikely to change his leadership style during the remaining two years of his term, noting Trump’s long‑standing approach of working alone and doing what he wants. Bolton warned that a Democratic‑controlled Congress could launch investigations into the Trump administration, including allegations of corruption, self‑dealing and self‑enrichment. On U.S.–India ties, Bolton said domestic political turmoil could push foreign‑policy priorities to the sidelines, affecting discussions on defence cooperation and common security challenges in the Indo‑Pacific. He said the U.S. and India need to discuss major issues together, beyond trade and tariffs, to address common security threats along China’s Indo‑Pacific periphery. Published – November 07, 2026 04:20 pm IST