According to former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, Iran may have been on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon from North Korea just days before former President Donald Trump initiated military actions against the North Korean regime.

Bolton, who served during Trump’s first term, suggested that a simple financial transaction to North Korea’s central bank could have secured the weapon for Iran. He explained that the process could involve the transportation of a nuclear device via aircraft, potentially routed through Russia, and delivered to Iran within a mere 72 hours.

Bolton emphasized the significance of the alliance between Iran and North Korea, urging caution about their collaboration. He remarked, “Given the emerging China-Russia alliance, Iran and North Korea stand as peripheral yet significant players, making their cooperation particularly concerning.”

The former adviser warned that Iran’s longstanding ambition to obtain a nuclear weapon remains a tangible threat, arguing that this potential capability underscores the need for regime change.

He told The Sun: ‘Let’s face it, in the China-Russia axis that’s forming right now, Iran and North Korea are two outriders, and so the cooperation between them is very threatening.’

The former adviser claimed Iran could still obtain the nuclear weapon it had desired for years – and this was justification enough for a regime change.

‘It could be a military government [that replaces the current Iranian regime],’ Mr Bolton added. It could be a democracy.

‘At least it’s not run by a bunch of theocratic extremists and militarists that want nuclear weapons – that is the big change.’

Iran could have got hold of a nuclear weapon from North Korea just three days before Donald Trump, pictured on Monday, launched attacks to crush the regime

A quick wire transfer to the Central Bank of North Korea would be enough for Mojtaba Khamenei’s regime to secure the weapons, according to American attorney John Bolton

While the US’s Operation Epic Fury had put a dent in Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Mr Bolton argued that the Middle Eastern regime could use their alliance with other countries to secure a weapon.

Iran is believed to be rebuilding fast after the wave of American strikes hindered their nuclear plans. 

The attorney’s remarks come just two days after Mojtaba Khameini became Iran’s new Supreme Leader in the wake of the killing of his father the Ayatollah Ali Khameini. 

And terrified Iranians on Monday warned that having the slain Ayatollah’s son as their new leader will change nothing as he is ‘as bad as his father’. 

Hardliner Mojtaba, 56, is one of the most influential figures in Iran’s clerical establishment and has for years been seen as one of the top candidates to succeed his father. 

On Sunday, a Foreign Office minister warned his appointment ‘suggests no change in direction from Iran’. The comment was mirrored by many Iranians in the country. 

Mr Trump said Mojtaba’s appointment is ‘going to lead to just more of the same’, as he said he was aiming a new wave of deadly strikes at the regime after Tehran said not ‘one litre of oil’ would be shipped from the Middle East if attacks continue.

While Mr Hegseth said Mojtaba ‘would be wise’ to listen to Mr Trump and not pursue nuclear weapons.

Iranians have also protested the appointment of the Ayatollah’s son by shouting ‘death to Mojtaba’ from their houses.

Meanwhile, American forces have destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels close to a major sea passage used to export oil.

The White House had earlier warned Iran will be hit ‘at a level never seen before’ if they place mines on the Strait of Hormuz amid concerns the regime could target the key oil waterway.

‘US forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,’ the US Central Command announced on X, with an accompanying video showing some of the strikes.

John Bolton pictured in October. He insisted the relationship between Iran and North Korea should not be underestimated

Then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits the Natanz uranium enrichment facilities in 2008. The US’s Operation Epic Fury put a dent in Iran’s nuclear aspirations

A satellite image shows a historical view of the Natanz Nuclear Facility in Iran

The Strait is the only sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Mr Trump has previously said he is ‘not afraid’ to use military force to keep the passage open, as oil prices steady following a rapid surge over the weekend.

US soldiers stationed at military bases in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain were earlier targeted in the latest attacks launched by Iran after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran faced the ‘most intense day of strikes’.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are said to have launched missiles towards American troops based at at Al-Dhafra airbase, near Abu Dhabi, and Juffair in Bahrain, according to the Mehr news agency. Sirens were also heard in Dubai and Tel Aviv on Tuesday night.

Iran also warned Mr Trump to ‘be careful not to be eliminated’ after the US President said he did not believe the regime’s new Supreme Leader can ‘live in peace’.

Mr Trump told Iran to brace for ‘death, fire and fury’ for keeping the Strait of Hormuz shut before threatening its new leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

He told Fox the new Supreme Leader will be unable to ‘live in peace’ and he was ‘not happy with the appointment’, having warned Iran he would have the final say over their leader.

But the regime’s security chief Ali Larijani dismissed Mr Trump’s comments, claiming Iran ‘is not afraid of your empty threats’.

He added: ‘Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Take care of yourself not to be eliminated!’