Vance says an Iran war would enter a "much different phase"
Vance tells the New York Post the US is not carrying out aggressive operations in Iran, even as strikes and shipping incidents continue.
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Vice President JD Vance said a war with Iran would move into a "much different phase," and told the New York Post that the United States is not engaged in aggressive operations inside the country.
His comments come as the conflict continues on several fronts. Drone shootdowns, pipeline attacks and tanker incidents have persisted in recent weeks, and the Treasury Department has been working to isolate Iranian finances. Treasury Secretary Bessent has said the US is now "ending" the Iran threat rather than managing it.
The Congressional Budget Office has put the cost of the war over its first five months at $38 billion and raised its inflation forecast for early 2027 by half a point, according to the CBO. Military chiefs from the US, Israel and Arab nations held a secret meeting on Iran, while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for an end to reciprocal attacks in the Persian Gulf. Iranian officials continue to reject talks without preconditions.
Vance's description of a shift ahead, paired with his denial of aggressive US action, comes against that backdrop of mounting costs, drone losses and shipping disruptions. Iran's refusal to negotiate without preconditions and the continued exchanges of strikes mean the risk in the conflict remains elevated, even as the administration points to openness to talks.