President Barack Obama lives in a "dream world" for thinking Iran would ever have a nuclear program that was used only for peaceful purposes, said former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton.
"I think he believes that there's a way to negotiate with Iran that will leave them with only, only a peaceful nuclear power and research program. That was never in the cards," Bolton told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Tuesday.
The six-month pact the United States and allies negotiated with Iran in January over their nuclear program is set to expire on July 20. Secretary of State John Kerry, in Vienna to meet with Iranian officials, said Tuesday "very real gaps remain" in negotiations with Iran, reported the
Voice of America.
Bolton explained it was "entirely foreseeable" the talks would end "without a successful conclusion," and said a six-month extension built into the original agreement was "likely to happen."
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"That's a plus for Iran. Gives them six more months to bust out of the sanctions and continue developing their nuclear program," he said.
Bolton said Iran had been "determined for 30 years to get nuclear weapons," adding that they would not be diverted by "a bunch of smooth-talking politicians from the United States."
The Iranians probably did not already have nuclear weapons, Bolton said, but cautioned U.S. intelligence gathering capabilities made it difficult "to know what moment they will cross the finish line" with nuclear armament.
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