Vance: 'Military and covert' options among Trump's tools to deal with Iran

VP J.D. Vance said all possibilities are on the table in the conflict with Iran, whether economic pressure, military action, diplomacy, or covert operations, according to him.

During a press conference held at the White House on Thursday, Vance ruled out holding talks with Iran unless it halts its attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

He clarified in response to a request for comment on President Donald Trump’s speech to Iranians and the potential for U.S. covert intervention, stating, “To use these tools, I wouldn’t be so naive as to discuss my plans in front of a million Americans watching at home.”

When asked if a war with Iran would end by the November/November midterm election date, Vance said he would not describe the U.S.-Iran conflict as a ‘war,’ and that he cannot set a timeline for its conclusion.

He noted that the Trump administration will not set a schedule, calling it “irresponsible to reveal our strategy and timeline to an Iranian state that clearly fails to meet its commitments and continues firing on commercial vessels.”

He confirmed that the Trump administration is investigating reports that a U.S. attack on a wedding celebration in Iran earlier this week resulted in several deaths and dozens injured during the event.

He said: “I’d like to say that official Iranian media have not been a reliable source for reporting developments in the conflict so far, so I strongly doubt these claims. Unfortunately, such incidents may occasionally occur, but in this specific case, I don’t believe we have any information confirming or denying their validity.”