U.S. Vice President Clarifies Attack Intent

(MENAFN) In the wake of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian soil, Vice President JD Vance asserted on Sunday that the United States is "not at war with Iran," but rather targeting "Iran's nuclear program."

He emphasized this position during a televised discussion on a news agency.

These comments followed a statement by President Donald Trump, who confirmed that U.S. military forces had executed “very successful” assaults on three key Iranian nuclear locations—Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan.

These actions have intensified apprehensions over the potential for a wider regional conflict.

Describing the mission as "really extraordinary," Vance remarked: "What we did is we destroyed the Iranian nuclear program. I think we set that program back substantially."

He claimed the strikes had significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Vance maintained that Iran is “much further away from a nuclear program” than it was just one day earlier.

He reiterated that the United States "actually" desires peace but underscored that peace must exist “in the context of them not having a nuclear weapons program.”

According to him, this objective was achieved with the military action undertaken “last night.”

Refuting the notion that U.S. actions had disrupted diplomatic avenues, Vance insisted, "We didn't blow up the diplomacy.

The diplomacy never was given a real chance by the Iranians."

The vice president also issued a strong caution to Tehran, making it clear that the U.S. is fully prepared should Iran choose to respond with force.

He warned, "But ... if the Iranians want to enlarge this by attacking American troops, I think that would be a catastrophic mistake."

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