John Bolton Wants War With Iran

[AntiTrump]

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.


John Bolton is a war monger head case stop him now !

 

[kyzr]

If Iran is developing nukes, its a coin toss as to who gets thumped first, Iran or NK.

 

[occupied]

The apocalypse walrus has had a hard-on for Iran forever.

 

[Lakhota]

The apocalypse walrus has had a hard-on for Iran forever.

True - and well said.

 

[Rambunctious]

We are already at war with them...but thus far others are doing the fighting for us....

 

[Preacher]

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
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  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

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Supposed to post your own commentary but before this gets locked or deleted I will say I HATE this pick by President Trump and I doubt he knew about his Bolton is a hothead and a whack job.

 

[depotoo]

So, you think it silly to make contingency plans against an enemy? You are kidding, I hope. Unfortunately, I doubt you are.

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

[JLW]

Bolton is a neocon's neocon. Where are all the anti neocons? This board is full of them. Where's their outrage and concern? Bolton is a loon.

 

[Desperado]

John Bolton is nothing more that an Israeli Firster Neo-Com Slime ball. Last thing he wants to see is the US pull out of any country in the Mid East, Bottom Line is John Bolton is a traitor

 

[McRocket]

I hope John Bolton dies soon.

Period.

He is a menace to the entire world.

He seems DESPERATE to start a war with just about anyone he can talk Trump into attacking.

He is a dangerous, blood-thirsty, neocon maniac.

 

[Ambivalent1]

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grow up. The Bankers and the MIC want it, Bolton works for them.

 

[Thinker101]

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hey....nice of you to keep the ADVERTISMENTS in there.

 

[AntiTrump]

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grow up. The Bankers and the MIC want it, Bolton works for them.

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grow up. The Bankers and the MIC want it, Bolton works for them.

Grow up? This isn't about bankers little kid it's about starting war which you want take a hike.

 

[Oddball]

Bolton is a neocon's neocon. Where are all the anti neocons? This board is full of them. Where's their outrage and concern? Bolton is a loon.

You're one of them....I remember how you squealed like a stuck pig when it was announced we are getting the hell out of Syria...You and the walrus are cut from the same cloth....Embrace your inner neocon warmonger.

 

[occupied]

John Bolton is nothing more that an Israeli Firster Neo-Com Slime ball. Last thing he wants to see is the US pull out of any country in the Mid East, Bottom Line is John Bolton is a traitor

I think he just wants to see the world burn.

 

[Ambivalent1]

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grow up. The Bankers and the MIC want it, Bolton works for them.

• WORLD

White House Sought Options to Strike Iran
State and Pentagon officials were rattled by the request

John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, had asked for military options to strike Iran.PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHARE

• 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 
  
  
  • 

By


Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Jan. 13, 2019 10:10 p.m. ET
President Trump’s National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former U.S. officials said.

The request, which hasn’t been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdad’s sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy, on a warm night in early September. The shells—launched by a group aligned with Iran—landed in an open lot and harmed no one.

But they triggered unusual alarm in Washington, where Mr. Trump’s national security team led by John Bolton conducted a series of meetings to discuss a forceful U.S. response, including what many saw as the unusual request for options to strike Iran.

“It definitely rattled people,” a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. “People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.”

The Pentagon complied with the NSC’s request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isn’t clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, here visiting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month, joined forces with national security adviser John Bolton to develop a more aggressive policy aimed at weakening the government in Tehran.PHOTO: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, PRESS POOL

Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body “coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests,” he said.

Mr. Bolton’s request reflects the administration’s more confrontational approach toward Tehran, one he has pushed since taking up the post last April.

As national security adviser, Mr. Bolton is charged with providing a range of diplomatic, military and economic advice to the president.

Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries.

Mira Ricardel, who was ousted as Mr. Bolton’s deputy in November, described the attacks in Iraq as ‘an act of war.’PHOTO: ZACH GIBSON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Last year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis argued against strikes that might hit Russian and Iranian forces when Mr. Trump and his national security team were looking at ways to punish President Bashar al-Assad of Syria for a chemical-weapons attack, people familiar with the debate said. Mr. Mattis, who resigned in December amid a dispute with Mr. Trump over the president’s national security decisions, pushed for a more modest response that Mr. Trump eventually embraced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grow up. The Bankers and the MIC want it, Bolton works for them.

Grow up? This isn't about bankers little kid it's about starting war which you want take a hike.

Yes, grow up.
It's ALWAYS about the bankers. You don't get out much do you? They decide what they want and their little puppets like Bolton, Barry, Hillary and Trump dance. Grow up.

 

[Geaux4it]

We should of took care of Iran a long time ago. Fuck em

-Geaux

 

[CowboyTed]

Lets be clear Iran is a regional major power and far bigger and more costly task than Iraq...

You can bomb it and destabilize the state and just create the biggest breeding ground for every dispart terrorist walking.

So you need an invasion, the population will be hostile, the country is big and the supply chain will be long. Iran's forces have been preparing for decades and will almost use guerrilla warfare immediately. Invasion would be expensive and to occupy would be costly...
No Easy War Here: Why America Isn't Invading Iran Anytime Soon

Regime change in Iran could cost the US trillions (opinion) - CNN

The whole time you this orchestrated by the guy who gave us Iraq War II...

 

[JLW]

Bolton is a neocon's neocon. Where are all the anti neocons? This board is full of them. Where's their outrage and concern? Bolton is a loon.

You're one of them....I remember how you squealed like a stuck pig when it was announced we are getting the hell out of Syria...You and the walrus are cut from the same cloth....Embrace your inner neocon warmonger.

You can't be that ignorant as to not see the difference between invading Iran and advocating a slow withdrawal of 2000 troops in Syria so to avoid a massacre of our allies? On second thought, you can be that ignorant...

 

[conserveguy877]

It's based on Iran wanting to go to war with Israel. Not to mention stealing our billions and billions of tax payer dollars nObama selling us out on. With nothing in return.