US VP Says Iran's Nuclear Programme No Longer Top Priority

US Vice President JD Vance has indicated that Iran’s nuclear programme is no longer Washington’s top priority in the ongoing conflict, with restoring the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz now taking precedence. In an interview with Fox News, Vance stated that the number one goal is keeping oil and gas prices low for American consumers, while ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon has become the secondary objective.

The statement highlights the harsh reality that the war is now centred on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global chokepoint for oil and gas supplies that was open to shipping before President Donald Trump initiated the conflict alongside Israel in late February. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately announced that new economic sanctions would soon be imposed to weaken Tehran.

The remarks from both senior officials illustrate the significant bargaining power Iran has gained by nearly completely closing the strategic waterway in retaliation for US military strikes. This leverage has placed Trump, who is reportedly seeking a way out of the war and is reluctant to launch further large-scale attacks, in a difficult position. Public approval ratings for the 80-year-old president have plummeted, with the American public largely opposing the war against Iran. With midterm elections approaching in November, the Republican Party fears that Trump and the conflict, which has caused fuel prices to surge, could cost them control of Congress.