Vance denies Iran conflict is a war despite continued strikes

President Donald Trump described the more than six-month U.S. conflict with Iran as “small potatoes” and a “military conflict,” while Vice President JD Vance rejected calling it a war. The administration says major combat has ended and U.S. strikes are intermittent, but Iran has continued retaliatory attacks against U.S. allies, regional assets and commercial shipping, and negotiations remain suspended until Tehran stops attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has cost more than $37.5 billion, killed 18 U.S. service members and wounded hundreds, while intelligence assessments indicate Iran may be preparing a prolonged escalation. The United States is also investigating an Iranian missile strike on a wedding that reportedly killed at least five civilians, including a child, with Vance expressing skepticism toward Iran’s account. Lawmakers criticized the administration’s terminology as minimizing service members’ sacrifices and potentially avoiding congressional requirements under the War Powers Act. The dispute has had practical consequences for military benefits, and public support appears weak, with one poll finding only a quarter of Americans considered the conflict worthwhile and many blaming it for higher food and gasoline prices.