US Aims to Cripple Iran's Nuclear Program Long-Term, Says Vance
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the American administration's goal regarding Iran's nuclear program is not just to immediately impair Tehran's capabilities, but to create a situation where Iran cannot rebuild the necessary infrastructure for nuclear weapons development for years to come. In an interview with Newsmax, Vance explained that President Donald Trump seeks to ensure Iran lacks the resources and infrastructure to re-establish its nuclear program.
Vance emphasized that the U.S. objective is to inflict long-term damage on Iran's nuclear capabilities, preventing Tehran from returning to a path of nuclear weapons development not only in the near future but also in the coming years. "What the President of the United States is trying to ensure is that they do not have the resources and they do not have the infrastructure to rebuild the program," Vance said, expressing a desire that even "in two, three, or ten years" Iran will not possess the required ability to develop nuclear weapons.
The Vice President also addressed the possibility of Tehran attempting to rapidly renew its nuclear efforts. He asserted that the administration's assessment is that Iran cannot achieve nuclear weapons within a few months, even if it decides to try. "Can Iran build a nuclear weapon in six months or a year, if it tries? No," Vance declared.
Newsmax reported that Vance linked his remarks to American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, claiming the next step for the Trump administration is to prevent Tehran from rebuilding the damaged capabilities. Vance's statements highlight the question of the "day after" damage to nuclear infrastructure: for the U.S. administration, the test is not only whether Iran can produce a nuclear weapon today, but whether it can be prevented from rebuilding the program over time. The actual extent of damage and the time Iran would need to restore nuclear capabilities are subjects of varying intelligence and professional assessments.