Former National Security Advisor John Bolton responded Wednesday to reports of his alleged attempted assassination while mocking the “low price” set against him.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Iranian operative Shahram Poursafi Wednesday over an alleged plot to assassinate Bolton. The DOJ suspected that the potential assassination was “likely in retaliation for the January 2020 death of [the corps] commander Qasem Soleimani.”
Bolton appeared on CNN’s “Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer” to discuss the alleged plot. (RELATED: US Won’t Let Iran’s Attempt To Assassinate A US Official Derail Nuclear Talks: REPORT)
“The suspect put a $300,00o price tag on your head. What goes through your mind, ambassador, hearing the details of this plot as explained today in great detail by the U.S. justice department?” Blitzer asked Bolton.
“Well, I was embarrassed at the low price,” Bolton responded, with a small smile, “I would have thought it would have been higher. But, you know, I guess maybe it was the exchange rate problem or something.”
Bolton added that he read the details of threat with great interest as he was previously unaware of “many of the specifics.” He also noted many other Americans are potential targets of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the interview.
“I think there are a substantial number of people who are vulnerable to these Iranian efforts,” Bolton continued, “and unfortunately, I’m afraid we may learn more. Not just former public officials, but as you just indicated, the private American citizens who disagree with the regime.” (RELATED: REPORT: Woman Allegedly Stabs Date During Sex In Revenge For US Killing Qasem Soleimani)
The Iranian operative also reportedly planned to assassinate former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to Blitzer. Bolton told the anchor that he has not spoken to Pompeo, nor was he aware that he was also a target.
Breaking News: The Justice Dept. charged a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday for plotting to kill John Bolton, a Trump-era national security adviser. Prosecutors said the man had offered $300,000 to hire someone to kill Bolton. https://t.co/oHbuJ5ocXG
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 10, 2022
Bolton instead noted that he feels its a mistake for the Biden Administration to “continue to show weakness to Iran by begging it” to return to the 2015 nuclear deal. The former national security advisor warned that behavior “encourages” Iran to “engage in these kinds of terrorist activities.”
Iran has recently ramped up nuclear activity following increased pressure by the U.S. on the country’s oil industry. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdallahian, demanded the U.S. “abandon such act of bullying.”