U.S. Not at War with Iran, But Targeting Its Nuclear Program – Vice President JD Vance
Written by Okafor Joseph Afam, Publisher for SpringnewsNG
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Published: June 22, 2025
Speaking on Sunday during an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Vance emphasized that the Trump administration’s military operation was aimed specifically at halting Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons, not initiating a full-scale war.
“We do not want war with Iran. We actually want peace—but peace must come with the certainty that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. That’s exactly what the president accomplished last night,” Vance stated.
The remarks came just hours after U.S. forces launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. These strikes marked the most aggressive U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in recent years.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also weighed in, claiming the operation had “obliterated Iran’s nuclear ambitions.” However, the full scope of the damage remained unclear as of Sunday, with no independent verification yet available.
When pressed on whether the targeted sites still retain operational capacity, Vance declined to share classified information.
“I’m not going to get into sensitive intelligence regarding what we’ve observed on the ground. But I feel very confident that this mission has substantially delayed Iran’s nuclear development—and that was the primary objective,” Vance said.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. attacks as “outrageous” and warned that Tehran reserves all options to defend itself. His statement has fueled concerns that the already volatile situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict.
The airstrikes come amid rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, with recent military exchanges increasing fears of a new Middle East war. Iran has already launched multiple missile and drone attacks on Israeli military positions in retaliation for earlier strikes by the IDF.
White House officials have continued to frame the operation as a targeted military success, distancing the administration from any claims that it seeks broader conflict with Tehran.
As global leaders call for restraint and diplomacy, the international community remains on high alert over the potential fallout from this new chapter in U.S.-Iran relations.
