US Vice President JD Vance on Monday pushed back against suggestions of a divide with President Donald Trump over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, accusing reporters of attempting to “drive a wedge” within the administration.
Speaking alongside Trump at the White House, Vance stressed that the administration remains united on foreign policy. “What the president has said consistently since 2015—and I agree with him—is that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Speculation about differences between the two leaders had grown due to Vance’s relative silence during the conflict and his past opposition to US military involvement in the Middle East. When asked directly about any reservations regarding US engagement with Iran, Vance reaffirmed his support, saying he trusted Trump “to get the job done.”
“We have a smart president, whereas in the past we’ve had dumb presidents,” Vance added, drawing a contrast with previous administrations. “I trust President Trump to do a good job for the American people and to ensure past mistakes aren’t repeated.”
Vance’s earlier remarks, however, reflect a more cautious stance on foreign interventions. In a 2023 op-ed, he credited Trump’s political success in part to “avoiding wars.” The following year, he warned that a potential conflict with Iran would not serve US interests and could become a “huge distraction of resources.”
The Marine Corps veteran had also cautioned about escalation risks after the 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qasim Soleimani during Trump’s first term. Reports last year also suggested he had privately expressed doubts about US strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Meanwhile, the conflict has taken a toll on US forces in the region. According to CNN, citing US Central Command spokesperson Timothy Hawkins, around 200 American troops have been wounded across seven Gulf countries during the ongoing campaign, though most injuries are minor and over 180 personnel have returned to duty.
The report added that 13 US service members have been killed in action so far.
