Bolton to Iran: There will be ‘hell to pay’
new york — US National Security Adviser John Bolton has warned Iran’s rulers that there will be “hell to pay” if they harm the US, its citizens or allies.
His comments came hours after President Donald Trump accused Iran of sowing “chaos, death and destruction” across the Middle East.
“If you cross us, our allies, or our partners; if you harm our citizens, if you continue to lie, cheat and deceive; yes, there will indeed be hell to pay,” Bolton said, speaking at a gathering hosted by the group United Against a Nuclear Iran, held on the margins of the General Assembly.
“Let my message today be clear: we are watching, and we will come after you.”
Speeches by the president before the UN General Assembly and by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton at a New York City hotel marked an escalation of rhetoric.
Trump blasted what he called Iran’s “corrupt dictatorship” and accused its leaders of enriching themselves through embezzlement and raiding state coffers to spread “mayhem”.
“The murderous regime and its supporters will face significant consequences if they do not change their behaviour. Let my message today be clear: We are watching, and we will come after you,” Bolton said. Pompeo also spoke at the event. In his speech, Pompeo unveiled a long list of Iranian misdeeds, from its support of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Houthi rebels in Yemen to sponsoring or plotting attempted terrorist attacks in Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond.
“It is truly an outlaw regime,” he said. “There can be no question Iranian destructive activities are truly global in scope. It is therefore incumbent on every country to join our efforts to change the regime’s lawless behaviour. The ongoing, multi-national, multi-continental nature of Iranian malign activity leaves no room for inaction or indecision.”
Pompeo harshly criticised those countries for attempting to subvert US sanctions.
The murderous regime and its supporters will face significant consequences if they do not change their behaviour. Let my message today be clear: We are watching, and we will come after you
John Bolton, US National Security Adviser