Vance Says US Shifts to Economic Pressure Against Iran

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated on August 20 that the conflict with Iran has entered a new phase, with the Trump administration now primarily relying on economic pressure rather than large-scale military action. Vance described this strategy as a "delicate dance" and asserted that it remains the most effective tool available to Washington.

Speaking on the "Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show," Vance explained the administration's shift in focus. "We're kind of now in a new phase where the most effective tool that we have is the economic pressure that we can apply to them," he said. "They're going to try to apply economic pressure to us. What has been true over the last couple of weeks is they have felt a lot more pressure than we have."

Vance acknowledged that oil prices have risen, impacting consumers at the pump, but said the administration is working to maintain energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. "Obviously oil prices are elevated, which people see at the pump," he said. "They are trying to close the Strait down, and if we can... get enough oil and gas out to give some Americans some ease at the pump, some ease on energy prices."

The vice president linked the economic...