WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance stated on Sunday that the United States is not engaged in a war with Iran, but rather with Tehran’s nuclear weapons program. He refrained from confirming with absolute certainty that Iran’s nuclear sites had been completely destroyed.
During an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” moderator Kristen Welker inquired whether the U.S. was now at war with Iran following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. military had conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites the day before. This marked the first direct attack by the U.S. on Iran, raising concerns about potential escalation. In response, Iran retaliated by launching strikes on Israel, causing damage in Tel Aviv.
“We are not in a state of war with Iran,” Vance clarified. “Our focus is on Iran’s nuclear program.” When asked about his confidence in the destruction of Iran’s nuclear sites, Vance emphasized that the U.S. has significantly hindered Iran’s progress towards developing nuclear weapons.
Regarding the specific extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, Vance refrained from providing detailed intelligence, stating, “We have made substantial progress in delaying their nuclear weapon development – that was our primary objective.”
Vance highlighted that the U.S. had dealt a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear program, despite not explicitly confirming complete destruction of the facilities. He emphasized the strategic goal of the attack in dampening Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In response to inquiries about the Fordo facility, Vance opted not to speculate on the level of damage, emphasizing the broader setback inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program as a whole.
Trump’s assertion that the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated” was met with skepticism by an Iranian official who claimed that Fordo remained operational after the strike. The U.S. defense officials asserted that Iran’s nuclear ambitions had been severely curtailed, but acknowledged that further assessment of the damage would be necessary.
As tensions escalated, Iran indicated that it was considering various responses, prompting Trump to issue a warning of potential retaliation. Vance noted that the U.S. had received indirect communication from Iranian sources following the attack.
When questioned about potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, Vance suggested that such actions by Iran would be self-destructive, given the economic repercussions. He emphasized that any interference in global shipping would have severe consequences for Iran’s economy and international stability.
“Why would they make such a decision? It doesn’t seem logical,” said the vice president regarding the U.S.’s desire for peace with Iran as long as they do not pursue a nuclear weapons program. He blamed Iran for not giving diplomacy a fair chance, stating, “The Iranians are not adept at war. They should consider following President Trump’s lead and giving peace a chance. If they are serious, the President of the United States is ready too.”
The recent U.S. attack came after Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which led to retaliatory strikes from Iran. The two countries have been in conflict since then. Initially denying involvement, the U.S. contemplated supporting Israel militarily with its “bunker buster” bombs capable of penetrating Fordo, a facility built inside a mountain.
The president’s decision received mixed support, with Democrats and some GOP lawmakers criticizing his authority to conduct military strikes without Congressional approval. Some Democrats even suggested impeachment. Senator Lindsey Graham defended the president’s actions, emphasizing the need for a single commander-in-chief. Senator Mark Kelly argued that military action is justified only in the face of a clear and imminent threat to the U.S.
In the lead-up to the strikes, supporters of Trump’s MAGA movement disagreed on U.S. military involvement in Iran, leading to public criticism and debate on social media.
