JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, stated in an exclusive interview with the New York Post that the war between the United States and Iran may enter a "completely different phase" in the coming months. He also agreed with Donald Trump's assessment regarding the possibility of ending the war immediately after the midterm elections in the United States.
Future Developments of the War
Vance, in this interview conducted on Monday aboard Air Force Two, expressed that the future cannot be predicted with certainty, but Trump, as Commander-in-Chief, decides on the timing of the beginning and end of the conflict. He emphasized that the United States is not currently conducting offensive operations.
Read more: General Mousavi: The Glory of the Resurrection Should Be Preserved in the Streets Through Unity
According to Vance, Iran continues to intermittently attack commercial ships in the region, although these attacks "are usually unsuccessful." He further examined the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that the traffic of ships in this vital waterway has returned to "over 50 percent of normal levels." However, reports indicate that traffic remains significantly lower than pre-war levels.
Two Phases of the War
Vance divided the war into two phases, stating that the first phase has ended. The goal of the first phase was to destroy Iran's nuclear program, weaken its conventional military capabilities, and reduce Tehran's ability to project power in the region. He added that the second phase aims to prevent Iran from rebuilding these capabilities and to strive for global stability after the war.
Trump's deputy also referred to his role in shaping an understanding between Iran and the United States in June, which led to a ceasefire and the beginning of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. This highlights the complexities of the negotiations and the challenges both countries face.
However, it remains unclear what course the Trump administration will take after the midterm elections. Will it choose to escalate attacks or continue negotiations? Trump had previously stated that the war could "end immediately after the elections" and that oil prices would also decrease after the elections.
Read more: North Khorasan at a Crossroads of In-Person and Virtual Education in Mehr · Baghaei: The Opportunity for the Oman Meeting with Regional Countries Has Currently Been Lost
