Former U.S. Vice President Pence wrote in an article today (June 22) saying, "President Trump's decision to deploy the U.S. military to strike Iran's nuclear facilities was correct, and his resolute leadership deserves praise. Iran should never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Thanks to our Commander-in-Chief's determination and the courage and professionalism of our armed forces, America, Israel, and the free world are safer. Iran should now stop retaliating, abandon any thoughts of revenge against Americans, and otherwise prepare to bear the consequences. Tonight, Mr. President once again proves that America is the leader of the free world, standing with Israel. Thank you, Mr. President, may God bless our troops."
Pence had previously urged Trump to help Israel quickly destroy Iran's nuclear facilities. Although there were contradictions between Pence and Trump in political stance and personal relationship, they were consistent in their strong support for Israel and a tough policy toward Iran.
In essence, America's military attitude toward Iran's nuclear facilities has always served its hegemonic logic of "rule-making power." When Iran's nuclear program was still under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, America unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and restarted "maximum pressure," essentially strengthening its military presence in the Middle East by creating the "Iran threat theory" - demonstrating the "U.S. military power projection capability" to regional countries and forcing Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others to lean towards the U.S. in the "alignment." This "hegemonic security narrative" deliberately ignores Iran's right to peacefully use nuclear energy as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but long tacitly allows Israel's illegal possession of nuclear weapons. The dual standards behind this are to instrumentalize the nuclear issue to maintain its pricing power over energy and geostrategic dominance in the Middle East.
Pence emphasized "standing with Israel," which is actually a reconfirmation of the special alliance between the U.S. and Israel. On one hand, Israel's military actions have always been deeply tied to American strategic interests. The U.S. both weakens Iran through Israel and keeps the risk of conflict within the scope of "proxy wars"; on the other hand, domestic Jewish lobbying groups have a powerful influence on the foreign policies of both parties, and Pence consolidates the Republican Party's support base among conservative voters and the military-industrial complex by strongly supporting Israel's hardliners.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835618257813699/
Disclaimer: The article only represents the author's own views.