US Vice President JD Vance says the US is at war with Iran's nuclear program, not the country itself.

The US is not at war with Iran, but with its nuclear program, according to VP JD Vance. Trump ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which he claimed had been delayed due to his attacks. Vance said the US is focused on ending the nuclear program and then negotiating a long-term agreement with Iran. The UN Secretary-General expressed alarm at the US airstrikes, and many US lawmakers criticized Trump's actions as unconstitutional.

The United States has not declared war on Iran, but rather on its nuclear program, according to Vice President JD Vance. The recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, ordered by President Donald Trump, are part of a broader strategy to delay Iran's nuclear capabilities. Vance emphasized that the US is not seeking regime change but rather to end Iran's nuclear program and negotiate a long-term agreement.

Trump's airstrikes targeted key nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The US President claimed that these strikes were a "spectacular military success" and that Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity had been "completely and totally obliterated." However, the extent of the damage remains a subject of debate, with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Fordo was not seriously damaged [1].

In contrast, US officials have been more cautious in their assessments. Vice President Vance stated that while the US has "substantially delayed" Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon, he is not certain that the nuclear sites were completely destroyed [2]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine also noted that final battle damage assessments would take time [2].

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed alarm at the US airstrikes, highlighting the potential for escalation and the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict [2]. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have criticized Trump's actions, with some arguing that the strikes were unconstitutional and grounds for impeachment [2].

The US is now focused on maintaining peace and avoiding further military action. Vance stated that the US wants peace with Iran "in the context of them not having a nuclear weapons program." He also emphasized that the US is not interested in regime change and is open to diplomatic negotiations once the nuclear threat is addressed [2].

In the financial markets, the US airstrikes have had a mixed impact. While there has been initial volatility, markets have largely remained stable. Investors are closely watching the situation, with a focus on potential long-term diplomatic and geopolitical outcomes.

References:
[1] https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/make-peace-or-face-far-greater-attacks-trump-warns-iran-after-us-strikes-on-key-iranian-nuclear-facilities
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/vance-says-us-not-war-iran-re-war-irans-nuclear-program-rcna214329
[3] https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-06-22/jd-vance-says-us-at-war-with-irans-nuclear-program-not-iran