US vice president rules out 'forever war' in Iran, says Trump will accomplish objectives
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday ruled out the prospect of an endless war in Iran, expressing confidence that President Donald Trump would achieve the administration’s objectives. "There's a lot more we need to work on, but the one thing I'll tell you is, if you're worried about another forever war, Donald Trump is never going to let this be a forever war," Vance told Fox News. He pointed to the difference between criticizing foreign military misadventures and "saying that you can never ever use the American military."
“He's going to accomplish America's objectives, and then we're going to focus on the other things that we're doing,” Vance added. The remarks came amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the US following the outbreak of the conflict on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by targeting Israel and US positions across Arab countries. The US and Iran signed a framework agreement in June and subsequently began negotiations, but the talks later collapsed over differences concerning freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy and goods shipments.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never says that Vance spoke while the administration was weighing renewed major strikes on Iran. CENTCOM's commander had briefed Trump on military options, and Gulf states were warned of a short, intense offensive after the 3 November midterms. Anadolu reported the CENTCOM briefing hours earlier. Without this, a reader takes 'never going to let this be a forever war' and 'accomplish America's objectives' as a promise to wind the war down, not as remarks made alongside plans for a fresh offensive.
How we know
- Anadolu Agency (English) wrote earlier“as Washington weighs resuming major combat operations, The Wall Street Journal reported”CENTCOM chief briefs Trump on options for renewed attacks on Iran: Report (opens in a new tab)
- Arutz Sheva / Israel National News reported“even as Washington considers additional strikes against Tehran”Vance: Trump will not let Iran conflict become a 'forever war' (opens in a new tab)
- Middle East Eye reported“the US warned several Gulf Arab countries to be prepared for a short, intense military offensive against Iran after the US midterm elections on 3 November”US senator briefed on Trump's plans to restart Iran war says proposal is 'insane' (opens in a new tab)