Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that the United States’ precision strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have’substantially’ set back the Iranian nuclear program. The operation, described as’surgical,’ targeted three key nuclear sites in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Vance praised the U.S. military for its skill and precision, noting that the mission was executed by 125 aircraft on a 30-hour non-stop flight without landing. He emphasized that the primary objective was to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, a core American national interest.
During an interview with ABC’s ‘This Week,’ Vance reiterated the U.S. commitment to halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating that the mission achieved a significant strategic goal. He warned Iran and its leadership against any potential retaliation, indicating that such actions would result in a decisive and overwhelming response from the United States. ‘If they decide they’re going to attack our troops, if they decide they’re going to continue to try to build a nuclear weapon, then we are going to respond to that with overwhelming force,’ he said.
Vance also discussed the diplomatic efforts with Iran, explaining that negotiations stalled until mid-May, after which President Trump decided to issue private ultimatums to Iranian leaders. He emphasized the U.S. stance that Iran must choose between peaceful cooperation and the development of a nuclear weapon, with the United States prepared to respond with force if Iran proceeds down the latter path. ‘There is no way that the United States is going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon,’ Vance stated, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to ensuring Iran’s nuclear program is dismantled permanently.
President Trump also addressed the operation in a late Saturday night address, stating that Iran’s nuclear facilities have been ‘completely and totally obliterated.’ He highlighted the long-term threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, describing it as a ‘horribly destructive enterprise’ for decades. The U.S. military’s strikes, according to Trump, were a critical step in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, aligning with the administration’s broader strategy of countering nuclear proliferation in the region.
The operation has drawn attention from various global powers, with some analysts speculating about the potential impact on regional stability. While the U.S. has emphasized the strategic necessity of the mission, the international community remains divided on the appropriate response to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and ensuring global security in the face of regional tensions.