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Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that the United States is not at war with Iran, even after President Donald Trump ordered the first-ever direct U.S. military strike on Iranian territory, targeting three nuclear facilities over the weekend.
“We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” Vance said on NBC’s Meet the Press.
The strikes, part of Operation Midnight Hammer, targeted facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, and involved 14 massive bunker-buster bombs. But amid dueling claims from U.S. and Iranian officials, Vance declined to say definitively whether the nuclear sites had been completely destroyed.
“I’m not going to get into sensitive intelligence… but we’ve substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon,” he said.
U.S. Officials Praise Strike, But Disagreements Emerge
President Trump said in an address Saturday that Iran’s nuclear program had been “completely and totally obliterated.” His defense team echoed the sentiment.
“Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing.
“Initial assessments show extremely severe damage,” added Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, cautioning that final analysis could take time.
But on Sunday, an Iranian parliamentarian claimed Fordo was not seriously damaged, casting doubt on the White House narrative. NBC News has not independently verified either side’s claims.
Retaliation and Global Tension
Just hours after the U.S. strikes, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel, striking Tel Aviv and escalating tensions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of “everlasting consequences,” while Trump promised a “far greater” response to any Iranian retaliation.
Vance revealed that the U.S. had received “some indirect messages from the Iranians” since the strikes but did not elaborate. He emphasized that the U.S. does not seek broader conflict.
“The U.S. wants peace — but in the context of Iran not having a nuclear weapons program,” Vance said.
“Perhaps they should follow President Trump’s lead and give peace a chance.”
Legal Debate Over Presidential War Powers
The operation reignited a long-standing constitutional debate over presidential authority to conduct military action without congressional approval.
Several Democratic lawmakers, joined by two Republicans, argued the strikes violated the War Powers Act, which requires congressional consent for acts of war unless there is a clear, imminent threat.
“That wasn’t the case here,” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
“The Constitution is clear — Congress declares war.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) defended Trump’s actions, saying Congress can act if it disagrees by “cutting off funding” or declaring war.
“You can’t have 535 commander-in-chiefs,” he said.
MAGA Division
Even within Trump’s own MAGA movement, reactions to the Iran strike have been divided. Some nationalist conservatives expressed concern over entangling the U.S. in another Middle East conflict. Others praised Trump for restoring what they called “American deterrence.”
Strait of Hormuz in the Crosshairs?
Vance warned Iran against escalating tensions further, particularly by disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage through which 20% of global oil flows.
“That would be suicidal for Iran,” he said. “Their entire economy runs through that Strait.”
While Trump and his team emphasize peace through strength, critics argue that the U.S. may now be closer than ever to a broader regional conflict — or even war.
As the world watches, all sides appear to be calculating their next moves — and the line between deterring war and inviting it is increasingly thin.
