Then-US Senate candidate JD Vance, now the vice president of the United States, speaks as then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, now the president, smiles at a rally, in Dayton, Ohio, US, Nov. 7, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday issued a forceful defense of President Donald Trump’s approach to Iran amid its conflict with Israel, responding to what he called “crazy stuff on social media” and outlining the administration’s red lines on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

In a lengthy post on X/Twitter, Vance sought to clarify the administration’s position as the Iran-Israel war continues and speculation mounts over the possibility of the US using military force against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“POTUS [president of the US] has been amazingly consistent, over 10 years, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Vance wrote in his note. “He said repeatedly that this would happen one of two ways — the easy way or the ‘other’ way.”

Early Friday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Rising Lion, a multifaceted campaign involving airstrikes, covert sabotage by the Mossad, and other operations targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure, military officials, and nuclear facilities and scientists. Israel launched the operation with the goal of dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Israeli officials have declared an existential threat. Israel has continued its military campaign since then, striking nuclear and military targets.

Iran has responded each night with barrages of ballistic missiles, largely targeting Israeli civilian centers. Most of the projectiles have been intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system.

According to reports, the US may help Israel’s campaign by striking Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran’s Fordow site specifically is built deeply into the side of a mountain, and some experts believe Israel can’t destroy it completely without the help of massive US bunker-buster bombs.

The prospect of the US potentially entering the conflict has sparked outrage among many of members of the isolationist wing of the Republican party, who argue that Israel is attempting to lure America into a “forever war.” However, Israeli officials said on Tuesday they expect their operation to last only another week or two.

In his statement, Vance said that Trump had “encouraged his foreign policy team to reach a deal” with Iran to prevent further uranium enrichment. He also defended the administration’s current posture as restrained but firm.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, has reported that Iran continues to enrich uranium well beyond levels needed for civilian nuclear energy, raising alarm bells among experts and Western governments who believe Tehran is dangerously close to having weapons-grade nuclear material.

“It’s one thing to want civilian nuclear energy. It’s another thing to demand sophisticated enrichment capacity,” Vance said, accusing Tehran of violating its obligations under international non-proliferation agreements.

The IAEA, which monitors nuclear programs around the world, has warned in recent reports that Iran is enriching large quantities of uranium to 60 percent purity, just short of the roughly 90 percent needed for a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains that its program exists for civilian purposes. However, Tehran’s decision to restrict IAEA inspections and ramp up enrichment has intensified fears in Washington and among US allies that diplomacy may be running out of time.

While Vance insisted the president remains committed to diplomacy, he also appeared to leave the door open to a more aggressive posture, should talks continue to stall.

“He [Trump] may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment,” Vance said, adding that Trump’s focus is “protecting our troops and protecting our citizens.”

Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about engaging in another war in the Middle East, arguing that previous US military interventions in the region proved costly, ineffective, and unpopular.

“People are right to be worried about foreign entanglement after the last 25 years of idiotic foreign policy,” Vance said.

Still, he argued that Trump deserves trust on the issue, describing the president as “only interested in using the American military to accomplish the American people’s goals.”