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A top US official has said there is “no chance” that the United States would be drawn into a prolonged war with Iran if it moves ahead with potential military strikes.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, the United States appears to be edging closer to a potential strike on Iran. In the last 48 hours, the US has moved additional military aircraft and other assets into the Middle East amid contingency planning, while the State Department has authorized the evacuation of non-essential personnel and family members from the US Embassy in Israel. US naval assets have also repositioned from ports in the region, a step often associated with preparations for possible military action. At the same time, President Trump has indicated that recent talks with Iran are not progressing well, criticizing Iran’s negotiation approach and warning that while he prefers a diplomatic resolution, he may ultimately resort to military force if an agreement cannot be reached.

What’s going on now: While speaking to reporters on Air Force Two, Vice President JD Vance made clear that even if President Trump ultimately authorizes military action, he does not believe it would spiral into a drawn-out regional conflict. “The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen,” Vance said, directly rejecting concerns that strikes on Iran could become another Iraq-style war. He stressed that both he and the president are “skeptic[s] of foreign military interventions,” adding, “I think we all prefer the diplomatic option,” but noting that the outcome “really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say.”

Vance acknowledged that Trump is actively weighing his options, which could include military strikes “to ensure Iran isn’t going to get a nuclear weapon,” while still leaving the door open to a diplomatic solution. He argued that the administration is being cautious, saying, “We’ve got to be careful about it, but I think the president is being careful.” At the same time, some Republican allies have privately urged that Israel take the first strike against Iran, potentially followed by a joint US operation.

This all comes as Iran has warned of consequences if the United States or Israel launches attacks. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that he would order retaliation in the event of US strikes.