US Vice President JD Vance has expressed confidence that President Donald Trump won’t allow the ongoing Iran war to turn into a “quagmire” that would end up leaving Washington ensnared in a prolonged war that will last for years.
Speaking in an interview with USA Today on Monday, Vance said it was unlikely that Washington would remain deeply involved in the current conflict for years to come.
“I feel extremely confident that we are not going to be talking about America’s involvement in Iran even a year down the road, but certainly not years down the road,” he said.
Vance, a veteran of the Iraq War and one of the ruling Republican administration’s most outspoken critics of US military interventions, claims that the current conflict differs significantly compared to US’ previous ventures in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam, all of which saw years-long military involvement, which inflicted heavy financial and personnel losses.
“I don’t think the president’s going to do that,” he said when asked about the prospect of a prolonged military engagement.
His comments come as Washington continues efforts to secure a broader agreement with Tehran following the ceasefire that took effect in April.
Since the start of April ceasefire, US officials, including Vance, have sought to advance a comprehensive peace agreement with their Iranian counterparts, that has led to mixed results.
Despite the White House’ claims of a deal imminently approaching, tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel continue remaining at an all-time-high, with CENTCOM reportedly intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, while Jerusalem and Tehran have also exchanged further strikes in recent days leaving any prospects of a comprehensive long-term agreement unlikely.
The uncertainty has added to domestic political pressure on the administration, leading to mounting hikes in fuel prices in the country, as well as resulting in a rapid decline in Trump’s approval ratings, prompting concern among some Republican lawmakers.
While emphasising his support for diplomacy, Vance acknowledged that military tensions could still escalate if negotiations fail to deliver a settlement.
“I think that we’re going to be successful,” he said. “If this diplomacy ultimately falls apart, then the president has further tools at his disposal. But so long as we keep this thing anchored to the core mission — prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon — it’s not going to become a quagmire.”
The vice president made the remarks during a telephone interview linked to the publication of his forthcoming book, ‘Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith’, which is due to be released on 16 June.
The book follows Vance’s bestselling memoir, ‘Hillbilly Elegy’, and includes reflections on faith, public life and policy issues during his time in national politics.
