December 5, 2007
Posted: 09:00 AM ET

Watch Bolton's interview on Iran.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – John Bolton, formerly a U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in the Bush administration, told Wolf Blitzer the recently declassified intelligence information about Iran’s nuclear weapons program should be viewed skeptically.

“I think there’s a real risk here of overjudging what our intelligence community found, and of disinformation on the part of Iran,” Bolton said Tuesday.

Pointing out the report’s conclusion that Iran continues to enrich uranium, Bolton also attacked the report’s artificial distinction between Iran’s civilian and military nuclear activity.

“It’s at Iran’s discretion when to convert that fissile material into nuclear weapons,” explained Bolton.

Bolton made his comments during an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on CNN’s “The Situation Room.”

Watch a clip of Bolton’s interview.

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: Iran • The Situation Room


Oscar, Rio Vista CA   December 5th, 2007 4:16 pm ET

As if anyone would take this guy seriously. He is nothing but a cheerleader for Bush. rah rah rah!!

Jaik , chicago, IL   December 5th, 2007 4:18 pm ET

So what he's saying is, our intelligence service got it wrong that our intelligence service got it wrong ? Sounds like a good excuse, let's start another war.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 5th, 2007 4:23 pm ET

Thank you Mr. Ambassador!

I seriously hope nobody thinks them Iranians are our 'friends'!

Trollmaster, CA   December 5th, 2007 5:02 pm ET

Like we should believe any Republican mouthpiece about intelligence reports after they were so very wrong about Iraq.

Only the most weak minded in this nation are stupid enough to get fooled twice by these knuckleheads.

tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   December 5th, 2007 5:27 pm ET

John Bolton and President Bush should go to hell and stay there. These warmongers are despicable and a blight on the human race. They are hellbent on slaughtering more innocent people for their malicious goals. They will not accept their own intelligence apparatus unless it validates their stance.

A Kansas Vet, Kansas   December 5th, 2007 5:28 pm ET

I guess it is good intelligence when it backs the administrations preconceived ideas, and questionable intelligence when it runs opposite to what the administration wants it to say.

Amazingly the National Security Report reflects what some others have been saying. So when it comes from mulitiple sources it is generally called confirmed. Kinda like in the Pre-Iraq days when no evidence could be found by multiple groups of the Iraqi WMD programs but the adminstration had unconfirmed intelligence from disgruntled Iraqi's that could not be confirmed independently that fueled the administration's preconceived ideas.

So who you going to beleive the Intelligence agencies of the United States who put together the report, or George W Bush and John Bolton.

Biden Backer/Seattle   December 5th, 2007 5:47 pm ET

And why are we supposed to care what this chump says or thinks again??

lucy   December 5th, 2007 6:42 pm ET

Why are we not at war with North Korea? They have nukes….. and they are a much bigger threat to our country.

Answer…..They don't have oil under their soil.

Randy S., Pittsburg, PA   December 5th, 2007 6:42 pm ET

And if you believe John Bolton, I've got some "yellow cake" I'd like to sell you!

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   December 5th, 2007 7:47 pm ET

Bush wanted war with Iraq so the intelligence about mushroom clouds and WMDs were totally correct … according to Bush and his flying monkeys.

Now, Bush wants war with Iran … however, the intelligence doesn't back the bombing, its obviously flawed … This administration will twist the truth to match their whims and desires.

Fool us once: shame on you: fool us twice: shame on us!

Don Houston,TX   December 5th, 2007 7:50 pm ET

This guy is a nut. He likes to fight wars with anyone's blood but his own. Did he ever serve or fight? Did his kids serve or fight.

jim, Los Angeles, CA   December 5th, 2007 8:31 pm ET

And why do we care what this idiot has to say. He has absolutely no credibility. CNN should be ashamed for even inviting him to comment.

Laura Tulsa OK   December 5th, 2007 8:53 pm ET

Tom in Albuquerque :

What is the goal of this administration with regard to Iraq? To get the oil? Don't you think if that were the case, we would have simply gone in and taken it long before now?

NO DUMMIES,LA.   December 5th, 2007 8:55 pm ET

THIS MAN SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE JOB, THANKS DUMMYCRATS!! YOU BLEW IT AGAIN. HE WAS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB IN THE UN!!!!!!!!

Terry, El Paso, TX   December 5th, 2007 9:13 pm ET

Delusional to the end.

J. Williams, Baltimore, MD   December 5th, 2007 10:01 pm ET

"I think there’s a real risk here of overjudging what our intelligence community found…" — Really? Like, with Iraq?

AN, Arlington, VA   December 6th, 2007 6:58 am ET

This sounds like a forum for the Neville Chamberlain Society…knuckleheads calling others knuckleheads. May your States not be the next terrorist target.

Cody Harding, Kinsley, KS   December 6th, 2007 9:24 am ET

John Bolton once again ties for a Jedi Mind Trick.

"You don't want to hear about this intel. These are not the nukes you are looking for…"

First, I can't believe this man, who was brought to the UN on charges of verbal abuse before his appointment [The defendent even claimed he tried to hit her with a shoe.], is even speaking to the nation. Second, I can't believe he's doing it on foreign policy when he was booted from the UN.

To Mr. Bolton: Open Mouth, Insert Foot. Do the world a favor.

A Kansas Vet, Kansas   December 6th, 2007 9:33 am ET

AN, Arlington, VA

I am more concerned about loose cannons attacking everything in sight that they preceive as maybe a threat someday down the road, that a terroist attack in the United States.

I lived in Europe for 4 years during the time of the Red Brigade and other terroist cells that were actively targeting Americans and their interests. If you start shaking in your booties and whinning the terrorist are coming the terroist are coming as far as they are concerned they have won their campaign, so stop trying to create situations that do not exist.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinoids   December 6th, 2007 11:55 am ET

Right on Bolton, if they agree with you they are right, if they dissagree with you they are wrong.
That's called cherry picking and that's the reason there are over 3800 dead American Soldiers and over 25,000 wounded American Soldiers in Iraq.

Jayson, Yuba City, CA   December 6th, 2007 12:58 pm ET

Anyone who chooses to criticize Mr. Bolton better keep in mind that we were unaware of the facility (nuclear or biological) in Syria that was bombed by the Israelis. Our intelligence is and never will be 100% correct so to let down our guard just because of one report is plain stupid.

P.D. Bristol, PA   December 6th, 2007 2:12 pm ET

I can't believe anything Bolton has to say. Why CNN gives this guy a platform I do not understand. These neocons are the reason why this country is going to hell in a hand basket. These people will follow Bush right off the cliff.

Jim, Hickory, NC   December 7th, 2007 8:49 am ET

Bush bashers: You were stunned that we went into Iraq with faulty intelligence, now you are stunned when the Administration questions it. BTW, apparently France questions it too…others are soon to follow. Go Bush, your tenacity is starting to pay off!!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com