U.S. has “no interest” in putting troops on the ground in Iran, Vance says
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Vance: ‘No interest in boots on the ground’ — but bracing for poss. sleeper-cell attacks in US
Vice President JD Vance insisted the US has no interest in putting boots on the ground in Iran. Vance said the administration is bracing for potential terror attacks from sleeper cells in America. The vice president insisted Iran’s network of terrorist proxies in the region is already washed up, as is its nuclear program. Vance joined President Trump in the Situation Room to monitor the strikes on Iran on Saturday. The Pentagon laid out a timeline for how “Operation Midnight Hammer” unfolded against Iran on Sunday. The strikes on its Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan nuclear sites were a success, the White House/X. Department of Defense said. The US military is now assessing the damage done to the Fordow Fuelrichment Plant and other facilities. The U.S. military is also investigating the damage to the MAXAR Technologies Plant in the Iranian city of Qasr-e-Kharab, near the Iranian capital of Tehran. The Iranian government has threatened to retaliate against the US for the strikes.
“We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” Vance told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground,” he said. “We didn’t blow up diplomacy.
5 Vice President JD Vance on Sunday warned Iran against retaliation. NBC
“We only took this action when it was clear, as the president said, that the Iranians were tapping us along,” the vice president said of the US strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities Saturday.
“The Iranians are clearly not very good at war. Perhaps they should follow President Trump’s lead and give peace a chance if they’re serious about it. I guarantee you, the president of the United States is,” Vance said.
The vice president insisted Iran’s network of terrorist proxies in the region is already washed up, as is its nuclear program, though comprehensive damage assessments haven’t been finished.
After announcing the successful military campaign late Saturday, Trump dramatically warned that any retaliation from Iran “will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed” during the strikes on its Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan nuclear sites.
Vance reiterated that warning and underscored that “it would be the stupidest thing in the world if they” seek retribution. He also indicated that the US has been battening down the hatches just in case.
5 The Pentagon laid out a timeline for how “Operation Midnight Hammer” unfolded against Iran on Saturday. Dept of Defense
“We’re, of course, doing everything that we can to keep our people safe. I think that we’re prepared in the event that the Iranians do retaliate,” Vance said — before later warning about possible sleeper cells in the US.
“Unfortunately, we know that a lot of people who we don’t have full accounting of were let in over the last four years under the Biden administration,” Vance said.
Also among the fears of reciprocation from Iran is that Tehran could target US bases and other military assets in the Mideast or close off the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which about 20% to 25% of the world’s oil consumption flows.
Vance said it would be “suicidal” for Iran to try to shut the strait, particularly given the havoc that would wreak on its already beleaguered economy.
But he reiterated that “our biggest red line is the Iranian nuclear weapons.”
Vance, throughout his tenure as an elected official, has staked out a staunch anti-war position. He had long been skeptical of protracted US aid to war-torn Ukraine. In March, a leaked Signal message chat revealed that he was privately apprehensive about Trump’s strike against the Houthis in Yemen.
5 Vance joined President Trump in the Situation Room to monitor the strikes Saturday. The White House/X
Despite that, Vance was adamant Sunday that Trump is being prudent with his use of military force and that preventing Iran’s theocratic regime from obtaining a nuke is within America’s core interests.
“The president has actually been one of the fiercest critics of 25 years of failed foreign policy in the Middle East, which is why he did what he did: a very precise, a very surgical strike tailored to an American national interest,” Vance said.
“I don’t fear that this is going to become a protracted conflict because I think that we have a president who knows what’s in America’s interest.”
The vice president also juxtaposed Trump’s use of military action against Iran with how past presidents have dealt with conflicts in the tumultuous region.
5 Top military officials are still assessing the damage done to the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and other facilities. MAXAR Technologies
“I certainly empathize with Americans who are exhausted after 25 years of foreign entanglements in the Middle East,” he stressed. “I understand the concern. But the difference is that back then we had a dumb president.”
Shortly after news of the strikes broke, a chorus of Democrats called for Trump to be impeached, accusing him of exceeding his military authority. Even some Republicans, such as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), called the airstrikes unconstitutional.
Vance, a former Ohio senator, shrugged off those concerns and stressed that “the president has clear authority to act to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
Earlier this year, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the House and Senate intelligence committees that the US intelligence community assessed that “Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.” She later accused the media of misconstruing her words.
“They were way too close to a nuclear weapon for the comfort of the president of the United States, which is why he took this action,” Vance said of the Iranians. “We had a narrow window of opportunity.
“We might not have been able to carry out this attack six months down the road,” he added. “It would have been irresponsible, I think, for the president not to take the action that he did.
“What happens next is up to the Iranians,” Vance assessed at another point in the interview.
Live updates: US strikes Iranian nuclear sites as Iran-Israel conflict continues
Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, spoke with CNN’s Kasie Hunt today. Himes said he was not aware ahead of time about the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He said there is a chance it just inspired a “hornet-mad regime” to sprint toward a nuclear weapon. He conceded that the strikes likely caused damage, but said assessments that they were successful are premature.
Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he was not aware ahead of time about the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and that there is a chance it just inspired a “hornet-mad regime” to sprint toward a nuclear weapon.
Himes told CNN’s Kasie Hunt that he “learned about this strike last night on Twitter, which, as you point out, is an uncomfortable thing for the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee.”
Before the strikes, he had not seen any intelligence to suggest there was an imminent risk of Iran building a nuclear weapon.
“I had not seen any intelligence as a member of the Gang of Eight to suggest that Iran had taken the decision to build a weapon, I don’t think there’s any intelligence out there that suggests that that’s true,” Himes said.
While he conceded that the strikes likely caused damage, the Democratic member of Congress said any assessments that the strikes were successful in decimating Iran’s nuclear program are premature.
“We have no idea whether these strikes were successful. Now, if what you’re looking for is a big boom and a large hole in the ground, I have very little doubt that our bunker busters did a big boom and a very large hole in the ground,” he said.
Himes added that Iran may have moved any uranium, and there is a risk of a “hornet-mad regime that has decided that the only way we’re going to forestall this in the future is to actually sprint towards a nuclear weapon.”
Himes called the decision to strike an “enormous gamble.”
“The president has just taken an enormous, enormous gamble. And if history matters, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, if history matters, gambles in the Middle East very rarely go the way you expect or even hope they might go,” he said.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: India pledges to secure its domestic fuel supply as Iran parliament approves closing Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday morning (Indian time) that American forces successfully struck three Iranian nuclear sites. The targets — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — have long been central to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The operation was carried out by B-2 bombers, with all American aircraft safely leaving Iranian airspace after the strikes. The strikes come as tensions in the region enter their second week. Trump earlier gave Iran a two-week deadline to negotiate a nuclear deal with the US. Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that the country had evacuated personnel from the three nuclear sites “some time ago” According to the broadcaster, Iran had relocated its nuclear stockpiles from those sites to secure locations.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is no other military like this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
The strikes come as tensions in the region enter their second week. Trump earlier gave Iran a two-week deadline to negotiate a nuclear deal with the US.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that the country had evacuated personnel from the three nuclear sites in advance. The three nuclear sites the US says it struck “some time ago.” According to the broadcaster, Iran had relocated its nuclear stockpiles from those sites to secure locations.
What we know about Iran’s key nuclear sites
Natanz: Located 250 kilometers south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s largest uranium enrichment center. The facility houses six above-ground buildings and three underground halls capable of containing up to 50,000 centrifuges, which enrich uranium for potential weapons use.
Fordow: Situated deep inside mountains near Qom, Fordow is considered one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% at Fordow — well above civilian requirements — making it a significant target.
Isfahan: Home to Iran’s largest nuclear research complex, Isfahan houses a fuel production plant, research reactors, and other critical facilities. Established with Chinese support in 1984, the site is key to Iran’s nuclear program.
Why is Iran under attack? Iran is under attack primarily because Israel aims to halt Tehran’s nuclear program, which it views as an existential threat. Since June 13, 2025, Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including uranium enrichment facilities and centrifuge production plants near Tehran and Isfahan. These strikes have killed hundreds, including civilians and military personnel, and damaged key infrastructure.
Israel’s goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability, which it believes would destabilise the Middle East and threaten Israeli security. In retaliation, Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, escalating the conflict. The war also involves targeted killings of senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders linked to arms transfers to proxy groups. Diplomatic efforts have so far failed, and Iran’s leadership warns that any US intervention would be extremely dangerous, underscoring the high stakes of this ongoing conflict.
What IAEA said? The IAEA, which initially flagged Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, told Sky News that despite Iran enriching uranium up to 60%, the agency cannot confirm any systematic effort by Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. However, Iran’s failure to meet its safeguards obligations, as noted in a recent IAEA report, combined with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion strikes, has heightened serious international concerns.
Live Updates
U.S.-Iran Updates: Israel And Iran Exchange Fire After U.S. Hits Nuclear Facilities
Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. was not interested in putting “boots on the ground” in Iran. Iran launched about 40 missiles at targets in Israel, the Associated Press confirmed. Israel’s strikes killed at least three members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, state-affiliated media reported. The attacks came hours after the U.,S. military struck three Iranian nuclear facilities in what officials are calling a “precision strike” against the nation’S nuclear capabilities.“This mission was not, and has not been about regime change,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference.
Iran and Israel exchanged strikes Sunday, with the continued attacks between the two countries coming hours after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear facilities in what officials are calling a “precision strike” against the nation’s nuclear capabilities.
Iran launched about 40 missiles at targets in Israel, the Associated Press confirmed, injuring 23 people,while the Israeli Air Force struck targets in four cities across Iran, the IDF confirmed in a statement on X, dropping munitions on targets including command centers and missile launchers. Israel’s strikes killed at least three members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Associated Press reported, citing Iranian state-affiliated media.
Vance told “Meet the Press” the U.S. was “not at war with Iran, we’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” adding the U.S. has “no interest in boots on the ground.”“I certainly empathize with Americans who are exhausted after 25 years of foreign entanglements in the Middle East,” Vance said, adding “I understand the concern, but the difference is that back then we had dumb presidents, and now we have a president that actually knows how to accomplish America’s national security objectives,” taking an apparent swipe at former President George W. Bush, whom Trump has blasted for years over his handling of the invasion of Iraq.Vance also responded to criticism from members of Congress who condemned the administration for making the strike without seeking congressional approval, insisting that “the idea that this was outside of presidential authority, I think any real, serious, legal person would tell you that’s not true.”
“This mission was not, and has not been about regime change,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference, calling the strike a “precision operation.” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine announced the mission’s codename was “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which involved strikes with massive ordnance penetrator bombs, Tomahawk missiles and a decoy operation. Caine said the military was unaware of any shots fired at the U.S. bombers on the way into Iran or on the way out after dropping their payloads.
Trump addressed the nation in a brief speech from the White House, claiming that “the strikes were a spectacular military success.” He warned Iran against retaliating, saying the U.S. was prepared to strike more targets should that happen. “There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” Trump said.
US strikes Iran’s nuclear sites: Vice President JD Vance says war is with weapons programme, not people
US Vice President JD Vance has clarified that America is not at war with Iran, but with its nuclear weapons programme. Vance said the strikes significantly set Iran’s nuclear progress back “by many years” The targeted strikes mark a major military shift and come amid rising Middle East tensions. While Trump claimed the sites were “obliterated”, Vance urged diplomacy to follow. Tehran has warned of retaliation, and the UN has expressed alarm. This marks the first direct American entry into the confrontation, albeit from the skies. The strike targeted deeply-buried facilities, including Fordow — located under a mountain — using so-called “bunker buster” bombs. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, fuelling fears of a wider war. Despite the confident tone from Trump, Vice President Vance struck a more cautious note. Asked if he was 100% sure the nuclear sites were destroyed, he said: “I’m not exactly sure what the difference is. What we know is we set their nuclear programme back substantially”
President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP)
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Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan targeted in overnight strike
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“Substantially delayed” but not fully confirmed
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No “boots on the ground,” but tensions remain high
Strait of Hormuz and red lines
Vance urges diplomacy, blames Tehran for breakdown
Constitutional clash over military authority
The United States says it has struck Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, not its people. The distinction, senior officials claim, matters.In a carefully-worded clarification on Sunday, Vice President JD Vance said the US is not at war with Iran, but with Tehran’s nuclear programme. The comments come a day after President Donald Trump confirmed a series of direct strikes on Iranian nuclear sites — the first of their kind — signalling a sharp escalation in a region already on edge.“We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear programme,” Vance said on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.In a dramatic message posted on Truth Social, Trump announced, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.”The strike targeted deeply-buried facilities, including Fordow — located under a mountain — using so-called “bunker buster” bombs.“All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home,” Trump added. “Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”Shortly after, Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel. The attack caused damage in Tel Aviv, fuelling fears of a wider war.Despite the confident tone from Trump, Vice President Vance struck a more cautious note.Asked if he was 100% sure the nuclear sites were destroyed, he said, “I’m not going to get into sensitive intelligence about what we’ve seen on the ground there in Iran, but we’ve seen a lot, and I feel very confident that we’ve substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon, and that was the goal of this attack.”Pressed again about whether Fordow was damaged or obliterated, he said:“Severely damaged versus obliterated — I’m not exactly sure what the difference is. What we know is we set their nuclear programme back substantially.”Trump, by contrast, declared, “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace.”US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this, saying, “Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated.”But Iranian officials disputed those claims. One parliament member said Fordow was not seriously damaged, though this could not be independently verified.Vance stressed that the US was not seeking war on Iranian soil.“We had no interest in boots on the ground,” he said.Still, the backdrop remains tense. Since Israel’s airstrikes on Iran on 13 June, both sides have been locked in retaliation. This marks the first direct American entry into the military confrontation, albeit from the skies.The vice president said Trump made the decision to strike “right before the strikes took place,” and confirmed Washington had received “some indirect messages from the Iranians” afterwards.The possibility of Iran responding by disrupting global shipping remains a key concern.“Their entire economy runs through the Strait of Hormuz,” Vance said. “If they want to destroy their own economy and cause disruptions in the world, I think that would be their decision. But why would they do that? I don’t think it makes any sense.”The US says it still wants peace — just not one where Iran is nuclear-armed.“We want peace, but we want peace in the context of them not having a nuclear weapons programme,” Vance said. “That’s exactly what the President accomplished last night.”He rejected the idea that diplomacy was sabotaged by the US.“We did not blow up diplomacy,” Vance insisted. “The Iranians are clearly not very good at war. Perhaps they should follow President Trump’s lead and give peace a chance. If they’re serious about it, I guarantee you the President of the United States is too.”“We don’t want a regime change,” he added. “We do not want to protract this… We want to end the nuclear programme, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here.”The strikes have sparked political controversy back home. Several Democratic lawmakers and a handful of Republicans argue Trump acted without Congress’s permission. They cite the US Constitution and the War Powers Act as the legal framework for military engagement.Senator Mark Kelly said, “The president can act militarily when there’s a clear and imminent threat to US citizens, to the United States, to the homeland. That wasn’t the case here.”Others see the president’s actions as grounds for impeachment.But Senator Lindsey Graham dismissed those objections.“Congress can declare war or cut off funding. We can’t be the commander-in-chief. You can’t have 535 commander-in-chiefs,” he said.The divide extended into Trump’s MAGA base. Allies clashed publicly in the days leading up to the strikes, some warning against intervention, others urging strong military action.Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to deepen US military involvement in the conflict. With the region on a knife-edge, and nuclear questions far from settled, the world is watching for Tehran’s next move — and Washington’s response.(With inputs from Reuters)
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/22/iran-us-war-nuclear-weapons