According to Caijing United News on September 4, U.S. Vice President Vance stated that major military operations against Iran have already ended; dialogue with Iran will not occur unless Iran halts attacks on ships.
Vance's remarks on September 4 sent a strong signal that the U.S.-Iran conflict has entered a new phase characterized by "military de-escalation, economic pressure, and diplomatic deadlock."
Vance explicitly declared that "major combat operations against Iran have already concluded" and that "there are currently no ongoing significant military operations," rejecting the characterization of the current situation as a "war." This stands in stark contrast to the reality of prolonged military engagement, as evidenced by Defense Secretary Hegseth quietly extending the deployment of U.S. forces in the Middle East. Vance’s statement essentially reflects a strategic downgrade by the White House—seeking to "call it quits" militarily, offering domestic voters a political narrative that the conflict has subsided, thereby alleviating fiscal burdens and soldier fatigue caused by long-term deployments.
Vance openly focused the conflict on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He bluntly stated, "Gas prices are high because Iran is firing at ships," emphasizing that the U.S. presence in the region is aimed at maintaining oil and gas transportation to avoid a "catastrophic global energy crisis." This confirms Vance’s earlier shift in stance during an August interview—where he effectively reoriented the U.S. government’s top priority to ensuring affordable fuel for American citizens, to prevent high gas prices from undermining the midterm election prospects in November.
Vance’s remarks also expose the U.S.’s current dilemma regarding Iran. On one hand, U.S. military forces face hard constraints due to rapid consumption of precision-guided munitions and dwindling ammunition stocks, making large-scale air strikes increasingly unsustainable. On the other hand, Iran’s conditions for reopening the strait—ceasefire, withdrawal of blockades, lifting sanctions, and financial compensation—are red lines the U.S. cannot accept before the midterm elections. As a result, the U.S. is forced to simultaneously soothe domestic audiences with promises of "no major war" while maintaining pressure on Iran through "no talks," attempting to compel Iranian concessions via economic sanctions—for example, the "economic expulsion campaign" initiated by Treasury Secretary Bessent.
In short, Vance’s statements represent a political retreat and strategic stalemate by the U.S. on the Iran issue. The U.S. attempts to mask its entrapment in a protracted conflict by claiming "military operations have ended," while using "no negotiations" to conceal its inability to either wage further warfare or achieve desired outcomes at the negotiating table. The focus of this contest has shifted from how the U.S. can force Iran to surrender, to how both sides can find a mutually acceptable exit ramp—one that allows each to justify the outcome to their domestic constituencies: the U.S. wants lower oil prices, while Iran demands dignity.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875347289680896/
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