World News Today Live Updates: US VP Vance says would not ‘call it a war’ with Iran, on categorising hostilities

US Vice President JD Vance rejected the idea of classifying the ongoing conflict with Iran as a war, even though hostilities have persisted for six months. During a White House briefing, Vance stated that the situation does not constitute a war because there are no ongoing active shootings. However, he acknowledged that tensions have occasionally escalated.

Vance's comments come as President Trump appears to be searching for a way to resolve a conflict that has troubled his administration. When asked if the conflict would conclude before the November midterms, Vance affirmed that he would not call it a war given that there is no active shooting at the moment. He noted that the major combat phase lasted only six weeks after the conflict between the US and Israel commenced on February 28.

Vance revealed that the US is currently investigating a missile strike that targeted a wedding in Kuhestak, Iran, resulting in the deaths of at least five civilians. He expressed doubt in Iran's account of the incident, asserting that he remains highly skeptical due to the poor reporting record of Iranian state media concerning the conflict.

In response to the recent hostilities, Vance stated that the United States will not resume negotiations with Iran until Tehran ceases attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Iran simply needs to stop, describing it as a simple requirement. Iran subsequently carried out attacks on bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, claiming these actions were retaliation for what it termed US crimes against Iranian people.

Kuwait expressed strong condemnation of the strikes, deeming them a clear violation of its sovereignty and a direct threat to its security and stability.