Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton tells Euronews that Iran “outmanoeuvred” President Donald Trump during negotiations, describing Iran as having played Trump “like a violin.” Bolton argues that Trump was driven by a strong desire to reach a deal to end the war and that, once Iran sensed this urgency, it negotiated from a stronger position. He says the United States effectively gave up strategic leverage in the process.
According to Bolton, Trump’s priorities also included reducing oil prices, which he suggests further affected U.S. bargaining posture. In Bolton’s account, Iran leaves the negotiations with terms that are “far better,” reflecting an outcome Iran wanted rather than a compromise aligned with U.S. objectives.
Both Euronews reports present Bolton’s assessment of the negotiation dynamics and the relative leverage of each side. They do not provide additional independent evidence or details of specific terms, timelines, or compliance related to any agreement referenced.
