US Vice President J. D. Vance said at a press briefing at the White House that Washington does not want an "indefinite war" with Iran. Vance said the US is not currently negotiating with Tehran.
Vance argued that Iran was responsible for rising oil prices in the United States and international markets, and said the Iranian military must stop firing on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He said pressure on Iran was being maintained to ensure the passage of commercial vessels.
Vance argued that a global energy crisis had been prevented through efforts to secure the passage of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. He said these efforts were being carried out under Donald Trump's leadership and through the activities of the US military.
Options Washington is considering for Iran
Vance said the US administration would not publicly explain in detail what kind of relationship it would establish with Iran in the future, and announced that economic, military, diplomatic pressure and covert intervention options were being considered. Vance said Trump retained the option of using any of these measures.
Vance also said Washington was not waging an indefinite war with Iran and that the phase of active attacks had ended. Arguing that the latest US strikes did not constitute a large-scale military operation, Vance said the measures were intended to make it more difficult for Iran to attack commercial vessels again and to ensure that oil and gas reached global energy markets.
The US vice president said Washington was aware of the costs of efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but added that alternative options also carried high costs.
