John Bolton on IRGC: Destroying Iran's Revolutionary Guard

In a fiery call that has ignited debate amid soaring U.S.-Iran tensions, former National Security Advisor John Bolton has declared the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) the true power behind Tehran's theocracy, urging its destruction as the path to eliminating the nuclear threat posed by the regime.

Speaking during a NewsNation interview yesterday, Bolton laid bare his hawkish vision: "The real governing force in Iran is the Revolutionary Guard. The Ayatollahs provide religious cover, the Guard runs the power."

He emphasized the IRGC's grip on 40% of Iran's economy, along with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, warning that "if we destroy the Guard, everything changes." He also conceded the fallout would be chaotic, noting, "There will be turmoil. This regime has ruled for 46 years."

Yet, he framed the stakes dramatically: "The real question is whether we and our allies will be free of nuclear threat."

The interview airs as U.S. aircraft carriers and fighter squadrons converge on the region, with over 50 jets and massive tanker support signaling readiness for potential strikes. Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have fired back with warnings of retaliation, dismissing U.S. superiority and vowing to defend their programs. Diplomats in Geneva report tentative progress on enrichment limits, but core disputes over missiles remain unresolved, heightening fears of a slide toward conflict.

Bolton's words echo his prior calls for multiple strikes to degrade the regime's capabilities and boost internal opposition, a strategy he argues could finally topple the ayatollahs after decades of rule.

As negotiations hang by a thread, his stark assessment adds urgency to the crisis, with analysts warning that any misstep could unleash regional turmoil.