Why did Vice President JD Vance say the US-Iran conflict is not a 'war,' despite recent military escalation and casualties?

Vance said he would not call the conflict 'a war' because 'there is no active shooting' and 'major combat operations lasted about six weeks,' even though he acknowledged flare-ups, recent US strikes on Iran, Iranian retaliatory attacks on US bases, 18 US service members killed, hundreds wounded, and over 3,500 Iranians killed since late February.

What political risks does Vance's characterization of the conflict pose ahead of the midterm elections?

Vance’s remarks risk angering a public already frustrated by the conflict—which has driven up oil and gasoline prices and lowered the president’s approval rating—while Democrats are growing more confident about November due to this frustration and its impact on the cost of living; his comments also drew immediate criticism from Democrats, including Representative Yassamin Ansari, who called them 'profoundly disrespectful' to families of the 18 fallen US service members.

Vance Says Iran Conflict Isn’t a ‘War,’ Risking Midterm Backlash

Sep 3, 2026

Vice President JD Vance stated the Iran conflict is not a war, though ongoing strikes threaten oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Rising gasoline prices driven by these disruptions have sparked political backlash ahead of midterm elections.

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Vance Says Iran Conflict Isn’t a ‘War,’ Risking Midterm Backlash

Vance Says Iran Conflict Isn’t a ‘War,’ Risking Midterm Backlash

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