Vance: Iran War Will Not Last Forever

SadaNews - U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance reassured citizens that President Donald Trump's war with Iran will not turn into an "eternal war", taking advantage of a White House press conference to defend the president's policies amid increasing speculation about his potential successor.

Instead of White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, who is currently on maternity leave, Vance fielded reporters' questions for nearly an hour, mostly in a measured manner, unlike Trump's sharp style.

Vance refrained from ruling out the use of taxpayer money to compensate individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, considered European concerns about Washington's cancellation of troop deployments in Poland exaggerated, and described a reporter's suggestion that Trump's recent stock purchases raise corruption concerns as "ridiculous".

This month, the White House press conference room became an informal platform for auditions in the race to succeed Trump in 2028.

Vance's appearance on the stage came about two weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a potential rival, garnered significant attention in his first press conference.

As reporters crowded the room shouted to capture his attention, Vance joked, "Marco is right, it is really a mess".

When a female journalist described Vance as a "potential future candidate", he quickly corrected her.

He said, "I am not a potential future candidate. I am the Vice President, and I really love my job, and I will try to do my job as best as I can".

Vance, 41, a former U.S. Marine who has long opposed U.S. engagement in foreign wars, said on Tuesday that any escalation with Tehran in the absence of a diplomatic solution would be aimed at protecting U.S. security interests in the long term.

He said, "This is not an eternal war. We will accomplish our mission and return home".

The conflict with Iran is likely to overshadow the political future of both Rubio and Vance. Since the war began on February 28, it has disrupted a significant portion of global oil trade, leading to a nearly 50 percent rise in gasoline prices in the United States and raising concerns among Republicans who will defend their congressional majority in the November midterm elections.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed that Trump's approval rating has dropped to near its lowest level since his return to the White House, with rising dissatisfaction among Republicans regarding his handling of American concerns about the cost of living.

The poll, conducted between May 15-18, indicated that about 34 percent of Americans view Vance positively, while 33 percent said the same about Rubio. In January 2025, 42 percent of respondents in a Reuters/Ipsos poll said they viewed Vance positively.