Core U.S. Interest: No Nuclear Iran, Says VP Vance

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Amid escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program, U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated that military action remains a possibility should diplomatic efforts fail to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Vance made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin in Los Angeles on Friday evening.

The interview, which aired on Fox News, focused on domestic issues such as immigration enforcement and anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. However, a significant portion of the conversation shifted to the ongoing nuclear standoff with Iran.

Responding to questions about diverging views within the Republican Party and "MAGA world" regarding Iran, Vice President Vance emphasized that the administration's position was clear and rooted in "core American national interest."

"What the president said is so perfect about this. I think he gets to define America First because he's the person who ran, who was elected, and who actually leads this movement," Vance stated. "The president is very focused on a core American national interest. And that national interest is the state of Iran should not have a nuclear weapon."

Vance reiterated that President Trump is pursuing diplomacy but warned that time is running short. "I do think that we're running out of time," he said. "But as the president said yesterday, he wants to give it a little bit more time to see what diplomacy can accomplish."

Pressed on how long diplomacy should be allowed before military action is considered, Vance responded: "The president has to answer that question. Right? And, I think that what he said is he's gonna pursue diplomacy until he thinks that there isn't an opportunity. And once he decides that diplomacy has completely run its course... then I think the president is gonna do what he needs to do to end Iranian enrichment and end that Iranian nuclear program."

While Vance avoided specifics on potential timelines or operational decisions, he affirmed his confidence in the president's judgment. "The advice that I'm giving him is, sir, trust your instincts. He's got the best instincts of any president I've ever seen," he remarked. "He knows when diplomacy has run its course, and he'll know when ultimately he has to employ the American military to make sure that Iran doesn't have a nuclear program."

The vice president also stated that Trump plans to give diplomacy about "two more weeks" but cautioned that the administration would not telegraph any action in advance. "He's gonna continue working this process. He's gonna let the diplomatic process unfold. And in the meantime, of course, the president of The United States can do whatever he needs to do, whenever he needs to do it to keep the American people safe."

Further clarification of the administration's position came directly from President Donald Trump during a press briefing on Friday, June 20, 2025. Trump claimed that Iran was just weeks away from acquiring a nuclear weapon, which he said prompted Israel to launch its recent military strikes. Asked whether he would urge Israel to pause its campaign, Trump replied, "It's very hard to make that request right now. If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody's losing."

He repeatedly emphasized Israel's upper hand: "Israel's doing well in terms of war, and I think you would say that Iran is doing less well." Nevertheless, he left room for a possible ceasefire: "I might, depending on the circumstances."

In a notable break from his own intelligence community, Trump dismissed an assessment by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who had said there was no evidence Iran was actively developing a nuclear weapon. "She's wrong," Trump said. "[They have] a tremendous amount of material... within a matter of weeks or certainly within a matter of months, they were gonna be able to have a nuclear weapon. We can't let that happen."

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday responded after President Donald Trump said she was "wrong" about Iranian nuclear weapon capabilities.

Gabbard said media reports took her comments out of context.

In a post on X, she wrote, “The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division. America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly. President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree.”

The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division. America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the… pic.twitter.com/mYxjpJY2ud

— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 20, 2025

Asked about the sufficiency of an aerial campaign, President Trump responded, "I'm not gonna talk about ground forces. The last thing you wanna do is ground forces." He also hinted at a short timeline for possible U.S. intervention: "I'm giving them a period of time... I would say two weeks would be the maximum."

Addressing the role of Europe in brokering peace, Trump expressed skepticism: "Europe is not gonna be able to help in this one. Iran doesn't wanna speak to Europe. They wanna speak to us."

He dismissed Iranian claims of needing nuclear energy for civilian use, noting, "They're sitting on the top of one of the largest piles of oil in the world. I just don't know why they need that for civilian work."

Finally, on the threat of retaliation by Iranian proxy groups targeting U.S. forces abroad, Trump acknowledged the risk and pledged a firm response: "We're always concerned about that, and we have to take them out and be very strong."

The Fox News interview with the U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance adds to growing international speculation over the United States' next move concerning Iran's controversial uranium enrichment program, particularly following recent Israeli threats to act unilaterally against Iranian nuclear facilities.