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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

US vice-president says Iran conflict is not a war

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Vice-President JD Vance said the United States was not engaged in an active war with Iran, despite renewed clashes and attacks on shipping.
  • Iran launched missiles and drones at a US base in Kuwait after US raids, while Kuwait said its air defenses intercepted the attacks.
  • The Trump administration says oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are nearing pre-conflict levels as fuel prices and the US military presence in the region remain political concerns.

JD Vance says he would not call the Iran conflict a war, even as fresh clashes and attacks on US positions have deepened the standoff. “I wouldn't call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting,” the US vice-president told a White House briefing.

Vance acknowledged that fighting had flared in some places, but said major combat operations lasted only six weeks after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Asked when the conflict would end, he replied that the answer depended on Iran and its attacks on commercial ships.

I wouldn't call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting.

· JD VanceThe US vice-president described the conflict during a White House briefing.

The latest escalation began after US raids on Sunday, following several weeks of calm. Iran then launched missiles and drones overnight at a US base in Kuwait. Kuwait’s military said its air defenses intercepted the incoming weapons. The flare-up later appeared to subside, with no further major attacks reported from either side.

I think the reality is I don't know the answer to that question. You would have to ask the Iranians.

· JD VanceVance responded to a question about when the conflict would end.

The United States has more than 50,000 troops in the Middle East and has increased its regional military assets, including nearly 20 warships focused on a blockade. Vance said Washington would not resume talks with Tehran until Iran stopped attacking commercial vessels. At the same time, the administration has promoted the claim that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are returning to prewar levels. “Their control over the Strait of Hormuz is effectively gone,” Vance said.

The conflict has created political pressure for President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has fallen near a record low after he promised to keep the United States out of further foreign wars. Eighteen US troops and thousands of people in Iran and Lebanon have died since February. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was discussing whether to declare the war over, while he recently posted a photograph of a “Mission Accomplished” banner.

Their control over the Strait of Hormuz is effectively gone.

· JD VanceVance described the administration’s view of Iran’s control over the strategic waterway.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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