US VP JD Vance Blames "Dumb Presidents" for Middle East Conflicts, Supports Trump's Iran Strategy

US Vice President JD Vance criticizes "dumb former presidents" for leading the country into costly West Asia conflicts, arguing that President Donald Trump's strategy is focused on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Vance served in Iraq during his Marine Corps service and believes in the principle that "Iran can't have a nuclear weapon." The administration insists its objective is narrowly focused on Tehran's nuclear program and not on waging an open-ended war.

US Vice President JD Vance has clarified the administration's stance on Iran, emphasizing that the recent airstrike was targeted at Iran's nuclear program, not the country itself. Speaking to both ABC News and NBC, Vance stated, "We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program" [1].

The airstrike, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities at Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. Vance described the attack as a "decisive" move that set Iran’s nuclear program back "substantially." He added that Iran is "much further away from the nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago" [1].

Despite the military operation, Vance insisted that regime change is not the US objective. "This mission was not and has not been about regime change," he said, dismissing speculation that the attack was part of a broader campaign against Iran’s leadership [1].

Vance also reiterated that diplomacy remains an option. "Perhaps they should follow President Trump’s lead and give peace a chance," he said, in a jab at Iran’s handling of negotiations [1].

Regarding reports that Iran's parliament may move to shut the vital Strait of Hormuz, Vance dismissed the threat. "If they want to destroy their own economy and cause disruptions in the world, I think that would be their decision," he said [1].

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appearing on Fox News, called on China to pressure Iran to keep the strait open. "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil," he warned, while also issuing a stern message to Tehran: "If they attack us, then I think we have capabilities they haven't even seen yet" [2].

Vance's statements come as Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, plans to fly to Moscow to meet with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, for consultations [2]. Meanwhile, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said his forces are progressing toward their goal of destroying Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats [2].

The administration's focus on Iran's nuclear program is a departure from previous administrations' broader conflicts in the region. Vance served in Iraq during his Marine Corps service and believes in the principle that "Iran can't have a nuclear weapon" [3].

Vance has also stated that the US wants to pursue a diplomatic solution. "We want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here," he added [3].

US President Donald Trump said the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites caused "monumental damage" to Tehran's nuclear development program as the world awaits Iran's response [4]. Australia backs the US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities but wants to avert a spiral into "full-scale war" in the Middle East [4].

References:
[1] https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/were-not-at-war-with-iran-only-with-its-jd-vance-after-us-strike-watch-v7v5ypzt
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/22/jd-vance-iran-nuclear-program-war
[3] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_S0N3OK04T:0-vice-president-vance-us-wants-to-pursue-diplomatic-process-with-iran/
[4] https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250623-live-trump-says-strikes-on-iran-inflicted-monumental-damage-to-tehran-s-nuclear-program