Trump backs VP Vance’s Iran conflict “not a war” remark, calls it “small potatoes”

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** — U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support on Friday for Vice President JD Vance’s characterization of the ongoing military confrontation with Iran, describing the hostilities as an “intermittent” conflict rather than a war.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, President Trump addressed the terminology used to describe recent U.S. strikes against Iranian targets. “A lot of people don’t call it a war,” Trump said. “I call it a military conflict because it’s small potatoes for us; it’s not a big thing.”

The President contrasted the current situation with historical U.S. military engagements, noting that previous conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, resulted in significantly higher American casualties. Trump stated that the current confrontation is “intermittent” because it involves targeted U.S. strikes rather than continuous, large-scale combat.

During the briefing, President Trump claimed that the United States has established control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil supplies. He stated that U.S. forces have conducted strikes in the region, destroying radar installations, aircraft, and various military assets previously used by Iran to monitor the waterway.

“We took out some aircraft; we took out some other things that protect for them—used to protect the Hormuz Strait when they had it under very tight control. But now we control it,” Trump said. He added that maritime traffic continues to pass through the strait daily.

Regarding U.S. casualties, the President noted that 18 personnel have been lost in the current conflict, though he did not provide further details.

The administration’s remarks come as officials seek to define the scope of U.S. military operations in the region. While Vice President Vance previously stated he would not classify the situation as a war, President Trump affirmed that “military conflict” is the more appropriate description for the current engagement.

Article and image source: iranherald.com