Bolton: US sanctions on Iran having 'major effect'

"Right up until the present day, we've seen continued demonstrations, even riots in cities and towns, all across Iran as the economic situation worsens," Bolton said on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper." "So I think our reimposition of sanctions has already had a major effect."

The Trump administration announced earlier Monday that it would snap back US sanctions on Iran following Trump's decision earlier this year to exit the multi-party nuclear agreement with Iran forged under former President Barack Obama's tenure.

Bolton said in his interview that the US was seeking to put "unprecedented pressure" on Iran and that members of the administration had been speaking to their European counterparts in an effort to sway them to reimpose sanctions on Iran as well despite the nuclear accord.

"We've been, in the last three months since the President announced his intention to get out of the nuclear deal, we've been in near constant communication with our friends in Europe and around the world urging them to join us," Bolton said.

The agreement by the US along with the European Union, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China with Iran set up an arrangement for confirmation that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons capabilities in exchange for the lifting of an international sanctions regime against Iran.

The European nations said in a statement that they "deeply regret" the US move and that the nuclear agreement "is working and delivering on its goal."

Bolton claimed that despite the ongoing disagreement about the effectiveness of the agreement, major European businesses were nevertheless choosing to do business with the US over Iran.

"European businesses are terminating their activities in Iran to a very considerable extent," Bolton said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on state television Monday that he would be willing to speak with the US without pre-conditions, echoing an offer from Trump, who said last week that he would be willing to meet with Iran without pre-conditions as well.

Bolton, however, showed skepticism when asked about Rouhani's comments.

"Let's see what really comes of it or whether it's just more propaganda," Bolton said.

He continued, "If the Iranians are really willing to come and talk about all of their malign behavior in the region and around the world, I think they'd find the President willing to do it."