Vice President JD Vance called his earlier advice to end the Iran war “sound advice” and blamed the conflict for Republicans’ election losses. President Donald Trump defended the war, while US officials said renewed attacks remained under consideration.
Vance said the Iran war cost Republicans control of both chambers of Congress and questioned whether it was worth the political price. Trump said Vance’s remarks were good but defended the conflict, saying the US had stopped Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump was briefed last week on options for restarting combat operations, and sources familiar with deliberations said renewed hostilities remained possible. US intelligence assessments indicated renewed strikes would not fundamentally change Tehran’s negotiating position or lead to regime change.
The war began in February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, followed by an April ceasefire that did not produce a peace deal. Iran has since recovered some of its buried arsenal and threatened ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to concerns over global oil supplies.
