US vice president JD Vance on Sunday declared that the United States had successfully dealt a major blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, insisting the country was not at war with Iran but rather targeted its nuclear programme. He further said that the decision to carry out the US strikes was fully within President Donald Trump's authority.
“US is not at war with Iran but at war with its nuclear programme.”
His remarks came after US forces struck three key Iranian nuclear sites earlier in the day, which were believed to house Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
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Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance said that America was neither seeking full-scale conflict nor seeking a regime change. “We do not want to protract this or build this out anymore than it's already been built out. We want to end their nuclear programme,” he said.
He further clarified, “We have no interest in boots on the ground, as Trump has said.”
Vance claimed the US had “destroyed Iran’s nuclear program” and backed the action by citing intelligence reports. He dismissed concerns over the legality of the strikes, saying, “It’s not true that Trump’s actions were beyond his presidential authority.”
“Trump did not take this action lightly but it gives a chance to reset ties and talks with Iran,” Vance added.
The VP revealed that “US has received some indirect messages from Iran,” and proposed starting dialogue for a “long-term settlement.”
Highlighting Iran’s weakened defence capabilities, Vance said, “Iran’s missile programme has shown to be a failure,” and that efforts would now begin to “permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme over coming years.”
Commenting upon when the final order for the strikes was given, Vance admitted, “I don’t know if anyone knows when exactly Trump made the decision to strike Iran.”
The strikes, announced by President Donald Trump, followed a week of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. US and Israeli officials confirmed the use of stealth bombers and a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb to reach Iran’s heavily fortified underground sites.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the US strikes hit facilities in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.
“US is not at war with Iran but at war with its nuclear programme.”
His remarks came after US forces struck three key Iranian nuclear sites earlier in the day, which were believed to house Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Video
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance said that America was neither seeking full-scale conflict nor seeking a regime change. “We do not want to protract this or build this out anymore than it's already been built out. We want to end their nuclear programme,” he said.
He further clarified, “We have no interest in boots on the ground, as Trump has said.”
Vance claimed the US had “destroyed Iran’s nuclear program” and backed the action by citing intelligence reports. He dismissed concerns over the legality of the strikes, saying, “It’s not true that Trump’s actions were beyond his presidential authority.”
“Trump did not take this action lightly but it gives a chance to reset ties and talks with Iran,” Vance added.
The VP revealed that “US has received some indirect messages from Iran,” and proposed starting dialogue for a “long-term settlement.”
Highlighting Iran’s weakened defence capabilities, Vance said, “Iran’s missile programme has shown to be a failure,” and that efforts would now begin to “permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme over coming years.”
Commenting upon when the final order for the strikes was given, Vance admitted, “I don’t know if anyone knows when exactly Trump made the decision to strike Iran.”
The strikes, announced by President Donald Trump, followed a week of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. US and Israeli officials confirmed the use of stealth bombers and a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb to reach Iran’s heavily fortified underground sites.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the US strikes hit facilities in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.
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