Vance: Iran conflict not war despite fighting

Vice President JD Vance declined to label the ongoing military conflict with Iran a "war" during a White House press briefing on Thursday, stating that major combat operations concluded weeks ago and that the conflict's end date is contingent on Iran's actions. The remarks come as the hostilities, which began in late February 2026, enter their seventh month, with renewed exchanges of fire occurring this week. Speaking from the White House briefing room, Vance asserted that the current situation does not constitute a war, citing a lack of active shooting. He characterized recent strikes by both the United States and Iran as "occasional flareups." Vance indicated that major combat operations, which he stated lasted approximately six weeks following initial U.S. and Israeli strikes, have not been ongoing for a considerable time. When pressed for a timeline on when the conflict might end, Vance stated he could not provide one, directing the question to Iranian officials. He explained that an end to hostilities would require Iran to cease its attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route that Iran has targeted since the conflict began.