US Vice President J.D. Vance has defended President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran, warning that a US withdrawal from the Middle East could trigger a global energy crisis.
In an interview with the All-In Podcast, Vance said continued US involvement in the region was necessary, in the administration’s view, to protect energy markets, secure international trade routes and safeguard US strategic interests.
Vance warned that if the United States were to leave the Middle East while Iranian forces continued targeting maritime shipping, global energy supply chains could face severe disruption.
He said ongoing US military operations were aimed in part at maintaining the flow of international oil and natural gas supplies and keeping major trade routes open.
Vance also said US military operations would continue as long as threats to international navigation remained. His comments come amid heightened concerns over maritime security and disruptions to energy flows in the region.
At the same time, he said the Trump administration was expanding its economic pressure campaign against Iran, including what he described as “Operation Economic Paragon”, aimed at restricting Iranian commercial revenues and enforcing secondary economic sanctions.
Vance’s remarks reflect the administration’s argument that continued US engagement in the Middle East is necessary to protect global energy supplies and international shipping while Washington maintains pressure on Tehran.
— KUNA
