US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday rejected describing the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran as a “war,” while acknowledging that fighting has flared up again and declining to predict when the conflict will end.

Vance’s comments came as the United States and Iran exchanged attacks this week following a period of relative calm. Diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, with no talks currently underway to bring the hostilities to an end.

The prolonged conflict is creating growing political and economic challenges for the Trump administration. Rising oil and gas prices have added pressure on consumers, while the conflict has contributed to a decline in President Donald Trump’s approval ratings ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Speaking at a White House briefing, Vance highlighted US efforts to maintain the flow of commercial oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian attacks and disruptions in the strategically important waterway have threatened global energy supplies and raised fears of a wider international energy crisis.

Vance argued that the United States had already brought major combat operations to an end, despite renewed attacks in recent days.

“I wouldn’t call it a war,” Vance said, while acknowledging that fighting had continued in some areas.
The United States currently has more than 50,000 troops stationed across the Middle East. The Trump administration has also increased its military presence in the region, deploying additional forces and nearly 20 warships as part of efforts to protect shipping and restrict Iran’s ability to disrupt oil transportation.

However, Vance offered no clear timeline for when the confrontation would finally end. He said the situation would depend largely on Iran stopping attacks against commercial vessels.

“When will the Iranians stop shooting at ships? I think the reality is I don’t know the answer to that question,” Vance said.

He also ruled out negotiations with Tehran while Iranian attacks on commercial shipping continue.

Although the most intense fighting has eased, repeated exchanges of fire and uncertainty over the conflict’s conclusion continue to weigh on global energy markets.

The latest escalation began Tuesday, when the United States launched airstrikes against what it described as Iranian military targets along the coast. Washington said the strikes were carried out in response to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.