US Engagement with Iran’s Nuclear Program
On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the United States is not at war with Iran itself but specifically with its nuclear program, which has faced significant setbacks due to a recent US military strike.
During his appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Vance praised President Donald Trump’s decisive actions aimed at neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He noted how, despite not being physically present on the ground, Trump was able to command effective operations from thousands of miles away. “There’s no military in the world that can do what these guys just accomplished,” Vance stated, expressing pride in the operation and stressing the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He credited the mission’s success to the exceptional skills of the US military personnel involved.
While Vance refrained from disclosing sensitive details regarding the mission, reports indicate that it involved 125 aircraft. “I can’t get into specifics, but what I can say is that Iran’s nuclear program took a significant step backward,” he remarked when pressed on the extent of the damage inflicted.
Vance insisted that, while the Fordow nuclear site had sustained considerable damage, it wouldn’t necessarily be a quick process for Iran to rebuild its program. He conveyed confidence in the mission’s effectiveness, declaring, “We are very sure that Fordow is no longer a threat. That was our primary goal.”
In a separate conversation with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he discussed the diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran. Vance characterized any retaliatory actions from Iran as unwise, suggesting that such responses would be foolish given the precision of the US strikes targeting nuclear facilities. He reiterated Trump’s earlier statements about the desire for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions peacefully.
Vance also outlined the stark options facing Iran, stating, “They must choose: either continue down a path of conflict, terrorism funding, and nuclear ambitions, or collaborate with us to dismantle their nuclear program.” He warned, however, that if Iran were to provoke US military forces or persist in their nuclear pursuits, the response would be forceful and overwhelming.
Trump, speaking on Saturday, cautioned that any Iranian retaliation would be met with far more significant military responses than what they had experienced previously. He highlighted recent US strikes at three critical Iranian nuclear sites, asserting they had resulted in extensive destruction to long-standing programs, now reportedly “completely wiped out.”
