Vance Disputes Claims of Civilian Casualties
Vice President JD Vance said Thursday he remains “extremely skeptical” regarding Iranian allegations that a recent U.S. strike hit a wedding party. Iranian officials claim the attack resulted in at least 18 deaths, including four civilians, though the U.S. military has stated it is currently investigating the reports.
“I will say that the Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what’s happened in the conflict thus far, so I’m extremely skeptical of this,” Vance said during a White House briefing. He emphasized that the U.S. military does not target civilians, though he acknowledged that investigations are ongoing to verify the facts.
This report draws on information published by AP and CNBC.
Defining the Conflict
When asked if the ongoing hostilities would conclude by the upcoming midterm elections, Vance pushed back against the characterization of the situation as a war. “I wouldn’t call it a war,” he stated, noting that major combat operations concluded approximately six weeks ago. While acknowledging localized flare-ups, he maintained that there is “no active shooting” occurring at a scale that would meet his definition of a formal war.
Vance further clarified the administration’s stance on diplomacy, stating that the U.S. will not engage in negotiations with Tehran while attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz persist. “The president’s been very clear: We’re not talking to them, and we’re not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” he said.
Regional Stakes and Economic Impact
The conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remaining significantly below pre-war levels. According to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence, transits have dropped to roughly 102 per week, compared to over 130 per day before the hostilities began. Despite these challenges, Vance defended the administration’s economic management, stating that gas prices could have been “much, much higher” without U.S. efforts to secure the region.
Meanwhile, the broader regional impact remains severe. Jordan, a key U.S. ally, has faced repeated strikes on its military bases, compounding economic strains and the burden of hosting millions of refugees. In Lebanon, the situation remains fluid as Israel announced the release of five detainees, stating they were civilians with no ties to terrorist organizations.