Vice President JD Vance is doubling down on his message that there is “no chance” the United States will become entangled in a prolonged Middle East war if President Donald Trump authorizes additional military action against Iran.
Speaking aboard Air Force Two on Thursday, Vance made it clear that the White House is not contemplating a protracted “nation-building” scenario in Iran with thousands of U.S. military “boots on the ground.”
“The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight – there is no chance that will happen,” Vance told The Washington Post.
The United States has long maintained that enrichment inside Iran presents a potential pathway to nuclear weapons capability and has stated unequivocally that Tehran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
On social media following an appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Monday, Vance reiterated the administration’s position.
“President Trump will not get the United States into a years-long conflict with no clear objective,” Vance wrote. “Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. That is the goal of this operation and President Trump will see it through to completion.”
The U.S.-Iran conflict entered its third full day Tuesday with rising American casualties, expanded Israeli strikes and confirmation from the United Nations that at least one Iranian nuclear facility has sustained damage since the start of joint U.S.–Israeli operations.
The U.S. military confirmed Monday that the number of American service members killed in the conflict has risen to six. Two troops previously listed as unaccounted for were confirmed dead after their remains were recovered.
President Donald Trump described the campaign as the “last best chance” to neutralize what he called the threat posed by Iran’s ballistic missile program and nuclear infrastructure.
In comments to the New York Post, Trump said the operation could last “four to five weeks,” with the “capability to go far longer than that.” He added that he would not rule out deploying U.S. ground troops if necessary.
The conflict has widened geographically. Israel announced it is conducting “simultaneous strikes in Tehran and Beirut,” targeting Iranian military sites as well as Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Israeli forces have intensified ground operations in southern Lebanon while continuing airstrikes inside Iran.
The United Nations confirmed damage to a nuclear facility in Iran for the first time since the U.S. and Israel launched their coordinated offensive. Details about the extent of the damage have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Iran has continued retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. assets and regional allies. The Saudi Ministry of Defense said Monday that two drones struck near the U.S. Embassy compound in Riyadh, causing minor damage but no reported casualties.
In response to the escalating security situation, the United States has closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and urged Americans to depart more than a dozen countries across the Middle East.
The State Department has issued updated travel warnings, citing ongoing missile activity and the potential for further escalation.
The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
The Iranian state-affiliated humanitarian organization, the Red Crescent, reported that 555 people have been killed in Iran.
In Israel, at least 11 people have been killed by Iranian missile strikes, according to local authorities.
Complicating matters further, Kuwait shot down three U.S. F-15 fighter jets in what the Pentagon described as a “friendly fire incident.” All crew members survived. U.S. officials said an investigation is underway to determine how the aircraft was misidentified.
President Trump has signaled skepticism about renewed diplomatic engagement, even as reports indicate Iran has sought indirect talks. “They want to talk,” Trump said, but he suggested the opportunity for negotiations may have passed.
