US says Iran conflict is not a war despite renewed fighting

Vice President JD Vance has dismissed the term "war" to describe the recent confrontation between the United States and Iran. Speaking at a White House briefing on Thursday, Vance stated that major combat operations ended weeks ago, even though there has been a resurgence of strikes in the Gulf region. He clarified that there is currently no active shooting taking place.

Vance acknowledged that fighting had occurred in several locations, but claimed that the main phase of US military operations lasted approximately six weeks. The intense exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces was the heaviest in over a month, with the US Central Command reporting strikes on various Iranian targets, including missile sites and communication facilities.

In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US forces and infrastructure in the region. However, the extent of damage claimed by Iran has not been independently verified. Vance defended the administration's distinction between the ongoing conflict and the major combat phase, stating that Operation Epic Fury and Operation Midnight Hammer had significantly damaged Iran's conventional military and defense capabilities.

He also affirmed that the US was preventing Iran from rebuilding its nuclear arsenal. Regarding the potential timeline for resolving the situation, Vance declined to provide specifics, citing the need for Iran to cease attacks on commercial shipping. He emphasized that the administration would not impose an arbitrary date while vessels remained at risk in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy corridor.

Vance highlighted that the high gas prices were directly linked to Iranian attacks on shipping, and that the US actions to protect maritime traffic had allowed the passage of millions of barrels of oil through the strait. The administration maintains that the ongoing security measures aim to sustain the flow of oil while acknowledging that energy prices remain elevated.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Vance stated that the US had not entered into active negotiations with Iran and would not rely on Tehran's responsible behavior or willingness to negotiate in good faith. He reiterated that the primary focus of US policy was to prevent Iran's nuclear program from being restored and to ensure the uninterrupted flow of international energy supplies.

The renewed fighting has also raised concerns about American casualties, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick initially stating that no US service members had died during the conflict. He later corrected this statement, acknowledging that 18 American military personnel had been killed and over 750 wounded. Vance expressed skepticism about Iranian claims regarding civilian casualties resulting from a US strike near the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need to verify the information provided by Iranian state media.

The conflict between the two nations began on February 28 with large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran, after which operations gradually diminished but resumed intermittently. The recent intensification of exchanges began at the start of September, prompted by disputes over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.