US Vice President Vance Reveals Top Priority in Iran War: Keeping Petrol Prices Low
US Vice President JD Vance has stated that the primary US priority in the war with Iran is to keep oil and petrol prices low for American citizens. Meanwhile, efforts to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons are in second place.
Vance’s statement is the opposite of the narrative repeatedly delivered by President Donald Trump. Trump previously asserted that the sole purpose of US involvement in the war was to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons, even if it meant sacrificing economic conditions in the short term.
The vice president’s statement also further underscores the reality that the focus of the war is now centred on control of the Strait of Hormuz, an issue Iran has forced to become a top priority in the negotiation agenda.
Speaking in an interview on Fox News, Vance conveyed his administration’s position:
“I know oil prices fell today and fell sharply from the highs of the early days of the conflict. That is the number one goal, keeping oil and gas cheap for American citizens across our country.”
“Then of course the number two goal is to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon,” he added.
The vice president has been among the most sceptical officials within the US government regarding the offensive strikes launched against Iran in late February.
Nevertheless, his latest comments appear to confirm the more cautious approach now being adopted by the US President. This approach focuses on maintaining strong economic pressure against Iran amid the ongoing military stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance reiterated the current dynamics of US policy focus:
“Sometimes we focus on the energy aspect because we want American citizens to be able to burn and buy oil and gas at affordable prices. Sometimes we clearly focus on the military… on the nuclear programme,” Vance said.
Vance added that Trump is currently “at the peak of his authority with many instruments, diplomatic, military, and economic.”
The decision to focus on economic pressure comes as diplomatic channels appear deadlocked, with Washington and Tehran each holding firm to their respective conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, regarding military options, US media reported that Trump has had to contend with the depletion of stocks of certain types of missiles and drones in his combat fleet.