Bolton denies Iran sanctions about regime change

National Security Adviser John Bolton said that US sanctions reimposed on Tehran on Tuesday are not aimed at regime change, according to remarks made during a Fox News interview.

Bolton said sanctions are aimed at pressuring Tehran into a broad retreat from its military activity in the Middle East and to curb its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.

The first phase of US sanctions against Iran began at 12:01 am (5:01 am London time) Tuesday and targets financial transactions involving US dollars. The second phase of sanctions, due 4 November, will target Iran's oil sector and are expected to be more damaging to the country's economy.

Bolton became National Security Adviser on 9 April, replacing H.R. McMaster, after US President Donald Trump appointed him for the post. The decision was widely condemned due to Bolton's ultra-hawk views.

He is an ardent supporter of the People's Mujahedhin of Iran (MEK), a militant Iranian exile group that sided with Saddam Hussein during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. 

Bolton has also been a longstanding proponent, like Trump, of scrapping the 2015 Iran nuclear. He is a personal advocate of regime change in Iran and North Korea.

Critics have warned that regime change in Iran would lead to military control, a worse outcome for US interests. 

Trump reportedly had previously passed over Bolton as a candidate for secretary of state because of his bushy moustache. 

"Donald was not going to like that moustache," a source said, according to The Telegraph, speaking on condition of anonymity. "I can't think of anyone that's really close to Donald that has a beard that he likes."

Agencies contributed to this report. 

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