Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to Iran, suggesting on the Financial Times podcast that Trump’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were partly motivated by a desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Axar.az, citing The Hill, reports that Bolton claimed Trump previously hoped to earn the prize for his involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and is now aiming for it through Iran.

While Bolton supported the U.S. strikes, he condemned reports (denied by Trump) that Washington was considering helping Iran access $30 billion for a civilian nuclear program, calling it “madness.” He emphasized that meaningful nuclear oversight in Iran would be impossible due to the regime’s resistance to intrusive inspections.

Bolton, a longtime Iran hawk, also mocked the idea of negotiating peace with Iran, likening it to “dealing with medieval religious fanatics” rather than making a real estate deal. He expressed doubt about Trump’s ability to manage Iran diplomatically and warned that a peaceful nuclear program in Iran is essentially unverifiable.