Vance Narrows US War Goals With Iran to Just Two

US Vice President JD Vance, in a Fox News interview on Thursday, 22 Mordad 1405 (August 13, 2026), named only two goals when asked how the war with Iran might end: keeping Persian Gulf oil and gas exports flowing to stabilize energy prices, and permanently preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. According to EcoIran, citing Tasnim, the remarks mark a notable narrowing from the Trump administration's original, broader list of war aims, which had included Iran's complete surrender and regime change.

CNN reported that as the war enters its sixth month, the list of US objectives has gradually narrowed. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday, 23 Mordad (August 14), that both goals carry equal importance to Trump. The administration had previously repeatedly stressed preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon as its top priority.