The "endless" Iranian Conflict

Vance: Iran Fight Is Not a 'War'

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday rejected the use of the word "war" to describe the U.S. fighting with Iran and declined to predict whether the six-month-old conflict would be over by November's midterm elections, in which Republicans are trying to hold on to their narrow majorities in Congress.

"I wouldn't call it a war," Vance said after being asked during a White House press briefing about whether the fighting could be wrapped up before voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 congressional elections. "Right now, there is no active shooting."

Vance's comments came as Iran fired at U.S. Gulf ally Kuwait on Thursday as it continued to retaliate for rounds of U.S. strikes on Iran earlier in the week.

The vice president said the U.S. had a "responsibility" to carry out this week's strikes because Iran continues the targeting of commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Vance's description of the fighting comes as President Donald Trump and his administration face questions about the conflict's duration and its political and economic effects ahead of the midterm elections.

The administration maintains it is making progress in applying economic pressure on Iranian hardliners, including the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

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