Vance defends Trump’s Iran strategy: ‘People confuse the ends with the means’

Early in his term, Trump reimposed his “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign against Iran, seeking to squeeze its economy and limit its path to a nuclear weapon. After diplomatic efforts failed to secure concessions, the United States and Israel escalated the pressure campaign with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, naval forces, and defense targets. 

Vance rejected calls for continued military action, arguing that some opponents appear more focused on the use of force than on achieving results.

“The president of the United States used diplomacy; he used economic leverage. He also used military leverage in order to ensure that Iran would not have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said. 

Vance argued that Trump combined diplomacy, economic pressure, and military force to achieve a strategic objective rather than pursue conflict for its own sake.

“There are some people who just want the bombing to continue, regardless of whether it accomplishes anything for Americans,” Vance said. “[Trump is] not trying to cause misery for the people of Iran, he’s trying to ensure they don’t have a nuclear weapon.” 

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Addressing concerns that the agreement could financially benefit Tehran, Vance stressed that sanctions relief would be contingent on major behavioral changes by the Iranian regime. “None of those things flow to Iran unless Iran fundamentally changes how it behaves with the world,” Vance said. 

Vance explained that foreign investment and economic opportunities would remain restricted unless Iran ends support for proxy groups and abandons efforts to rebuild its nuclear program. “If Iran fundamentally transforms how it deals with the United States, the region, and the rest of the world, then Iran can get some economic benefits,” Vance said. “That would be a major win for the Americans.”