Low oil prices are top US priority in Iran war, JD Vance says

US Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that keeping oil and gasoline prices low for Americans was Washington’s top priority in the war with Iran, while preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon ranked second.

His remarks appeared to contrast with President Donald Trump’s repeated insistence that the war’s sole objective was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, even at the cost of short-term economic pain for Americans.

Vance’s comments also highlighted the growing importance of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has placed at the centre of negotiations amid the ongoing conflict.

“I know that oil is down today and it’s way down from the highs in the early days of the conflict,” Vance said in an interview with Fox News. “That’s goal number one — keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country.”

“And then obviously goal number two is ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Vance has been among the administration officials most cautious about the US offensive against Iran, which began in late February. His latest comments suggest that Washington is increasingly favouring economic pressure while the military standoff over the Strait of Hormuz continues.

“Sometimes we’re focused on the energy piece of it because we want Americans to be able to afford the price of oil and gas. Sometimes we’re obviously focused on the military … on the nuclear program,” Vance said.

He also said Trump was “at the height of his authority” and had diplomatic, military and economic tools at his disposal.

The emphasis on economic pressure comes as diplomatic efforts appear stalled, with Washington and Tehran maintaining opposing conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, US media reports indicate that Trump faces constraints on the military front, including the rapid depletion of stocks of certain missiles and drones.