Vance Says Trump Has Multiple Options to Deal With Iran as Conflict Escalates

US Vice President JD Vance has said the Trump administration is keeping a wide range of options open to deal with Iran as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify. The choices under consideration include economic sanctions, military action, diplomatic efforts and covert measures, he said on Thursday. Vance said President Donald Trump did not want to publicly reveal the administration’s plans, arguing that doing so could restrict the president’s ability to respond to changing circumstances.

He indicated that Washington wanted to maintain flexibility and keep every available option on the table. The vice president’s remarks came as the conflict between the United States and Iran entered its seventh month. Washington has been seeking to increase pressure on Tehran while also attempting to prevent the confrontation from developing into a broader regional crisis.

Vance also linked the US strategy to concerns over international energy supplies and maritime security. He accused Iran of continuing to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global trade route through which a significant volume of oil passes. The US administration has argued that protecting shipping through the waterway is essential to preventing a wider energy crisis.

While discussing Iran, Vance also compared Tehran’s conduct with that of China. He described Beijing as considerably more responsible than Iran in the broader international environment, particularly in its approach to commercial shipping. However, he acknowledged that the United States and China continue to have significant differences on several issues.

The administration’s economic pressure campaign against Tehran has also expanded. US officials have been pushing sanctions and other financial measures intended to restrict Iran’s access to international markets and reduce revenues that Washington says support its activities. The European Union has also moved closer to the US position. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the bloc had officially joined the American-led “Operation Economic Outcast”, a campaign designed to intensify economic pressure on Iran. The development signals growing coordination between Washington and European allies over measures aimed at Tehran.

Oil prices were heading towards their strongest weekly gains since July amid fears that continued fighting could disrupt crude supplies from the Middle East. For now, Washington has indicated that all options remain available as the Trump administration assesses how to respond to Iran and whether diplomatic or economic pressure can bring the conflict towards an end.