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Bolton: Trump extending deadline shows Iran ‘he’s not really serious’

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by Tara Suter - 04/06/26 3:40 PM ET

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by Tara Suter - 04/06/26 3:40 PM ET

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Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that President Trump pushing back his deadline for Iran to make a deal shows the Middle Eastern country that “he’s not really serious.”

“Well, who knows whether he’s going to follow through. I don’t think even he knows he’s going to follow through,” Bolton said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe,” discussing a threat from President Trump to attack Iranian infrastructure.

“I think that explains the language of the Easter morning Truth Social posting, the idea that he’s extended his deadline, yet again, to tomorrow, I think, says to the — whoever’s in control in Tehran — that he’s not really serious about it. He’s too nervous. He may make the threat, but he won’t carry through on it,” he added.

On Sunday morning, Trump railed against Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The president threatened to strike the country’s infrastructure and pressed Tehran to “open the F‑‑‑in’ Strait, you crazy bastards.”

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F‑‑‑in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Trump reiterated Monday that Iran has a deadline of 8 p.m. EDT on Tuesday to make a deal. The president also said that the Middle Eastern country was “negotiating.”

“We think in good faith, we’re going to find out,” he said. “We’re giving them til tomorrow, 8 o’clock Eastern time, and after that, they’re going to have no bridges. They’re going to have no power plants.”

The president had extended a Defense Department pause on striking Iranian energy infrastructure to Monday in the wake of a request from Tehran.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

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