Former National Security Advisor John Bolton stated that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls Tehran's military decisions and argued that the United States should make dismantling the group its primary objective. Bolton asserted that the IRGC, rather than the country's civilian leadership, is directing military operations and making key security decisions. He emphasized that eliminating the IRGC is a necessary step for any potential regime change in Iran.

IRGC's Role in Iran

Bolton posted on X on Monday, sharing his NewsNation interview, where he wrote, "The Revolutionary Guard is calling the shots in Iran." He added that statements from civilians carry little weight given the IRGC's authority. During the interview, he reiterated that the Iran Revolutionary Guard is running the military operations, functioning autonomously from the civilian government.

Call for Military Action

Citing recent attacks on U.S. bases and the deaths of American service members, Bolton called for a broader military objective beyond mere retaliation. "Our objective should not just be to retaliate for this particular tragedy, but to flatten the Revolutionary Guard entirely," he said. He believes this is the only way to create a possibility for regime change in Iran.

Strategic Recommendations

Bolton backed maintaining sanctions and a naval blockade while specifically targeting the IRGC's military capabilities. He identified several assets as legitimate targets, including missiles, missile launchers, drones, and fast boats. He expressed skepticism regarding the success of diplomacy, stating that the IRGC's autonomous function necessitates its elimination to achieve strategic goals.

Iranian state media has reported multiple incidents across Iran, including U.S. strikes and a fresh explosion in the southern city of Bandar Abbas. Iran's YJC News Agency reported that the Bandar Abbas Railway Junction Station was targeted in a U.S. attack, resulting in two injuries. Iran's Press TV separately reported U.S. strikes on the city of Tabriz, widening the scope of reported military activity. In the latest development, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that another explosion was heard in southern Iran's Bandar Abbas, with the cause described as unclear.

Reported Incidents

The following details were reported by Iranian media outlets regarding the incidents:

Source Attribution

The information is sourced exclusively from Iran's YJC News Agency, Iran's Press TV, and IRNA. No additional details regarding the scale of damage, the nature of the attacks, further casualties, or the cause of the latest explosion in Bandar Abbas were included in the available reports.