U.S.-Iran Conflict Enters New Phase, Says Vice President Vance

Vice President JD Vance indicated that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is poised to enter a “much different phase” in the coming months, claiming the initial stage of the campaign has been completed as Washington aims to prevent Tehran from restoring its nuclear and military capabilities.

“There are really two phases to this thing, and the first phase is done,” Vance mentioned in an interview with the New York Post while aboard Air Force Two.

He elaborated on this, stating, “The first phase was about destroying the nuclear program, dismantling their conventional military, and curbing their ability to project power as they did a couple of years ago.”

According to Vance, the second phase involves ensuring that Iran cannot rebuild its military capabilities and maintaining stability on a global scale after that loss.

Vance suggested that this transition might become increasingly noticeable in the next few months, aligning with President Donald Trump’s recent forecast that the conflict could begin to deescalate following the November midterm elections.

“We can’t predict the future, but I think the president is right to say that this will enter a much different phase in a couple of months,” Vance noted. “He’s the commander in chief, after all, and it’s his call on when conflicts start and end.”

His remarks sharpen the strategy he outlined less than two weeks ago, declaring Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz “effectively gone.” At that time, he did not set an explicit timeline for resolving the conflict as Tehran continued to target commercial shipping.

Vance claimed that Iran was “losing their capabilities day by day,” as U.S. forces cleared mines and safeguarded commercial vessels while targeting Iranian systems near the key waterway.

He highlighted that commercial traffic through the Strait has now returned to “well over 50 percent of normal levels,” while U.S. forces persist in their blockade and protection of vessels in the area.

On a recent Tuesday, U.S. Central Command reported that American forces have redirected 103 commercial vessels to ensure compliance with the blockade, up from 87 previously noted.

This increasing traffic has effectively limited Iran’s ability to disrupt the Strait while also decreasing its leverage in the region. U.S. forces have been facilitating the movement of oil and other commercial shipments while blocking Iranian exports and responding militarily to any attempts by Tehran to restore its capabilities.

While Vance recognized ongoing Iranian attacks, he described the current situation as distinctly different from the full-scale military operations of the initial phase. “I understand that there’s some impatience among Americans, but fundamentally, we’re not engaged in aggressive operations right now. We’re just not,” he expressed.

“What’s happening, however, is that the Iranians are occasionally firing at commercial shipping, though usually without success.”

This threat was highlighted again recently when Iranian boats attempted to seize a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in the Strait. According to CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins, American forces “forcefully responded,” ensuring the vessel remained under U.S. control.

Preventing Iran from rebuilding is also a key goal of the administration’s economic strategy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed lawmakers that the strength of the U.S. economy has empowered Washington to implement what he called “the greatest economic isolation campaign in history against Iran and its allies,” as Treasury expands Operation Economic Outcast.

“President Trump has taken actions that his predecessors have long deferred against a regime that chants ‘Death to America’ and seeks nuclear weapons,” Bessent stated during his testimony before the House Financial Services Committee. “Under his leadership, America is not just managing the Iranian threat; we are working to end it.”

Bessent also mentioned that Washington has held positive private discussions with Beijing regarding its financial ties to Tehran, and these dialogues are expected to continue as the administration encourages countries to further economically isolate Iran.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the administration’s broader aims during a call with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, denouncing recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping while reaffirming the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait.

Meanwhile, Trump has suggested that the growing military and economic pressure might lead Tehran to return to the negotiating table. “The failing nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly,” Trump stated recently, implying that it would be his decision on whether to engage further.

Vance, who participated in the tentative June ceasefire negotiations with Tehran, was cautious about predicting the exact outcome of the confrontation. However, he detailed that the next phase would unify the administration’s military, maritime, and economic efforts under a single aim: to deny Tehran the resources and opportunities to rebuild its nuclear and military capabilities destroyed during the earlier phase.

“The second phase is to ensure they can’t rebuild while trying to maintain global stability,” Vance concluded.