More than six months after the U.S. launched military operations against Iran, Vice President JD Vance asserted that the ongoing conflict is not a war,
citing a lack of active shooting.
“When you ask, ‘When will this end?’, you’re asking me a question like: When will the Iranians stop shooting at ships? I think the reality is, I don’t know the answer to that question. You’d have to ask the Iranians.”
Energy Markets React as Oil Prices Climb and Shipping Routes Shift
The protracted conflict continues to exert pressure on global energy supplies and maritime routes. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 26 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to hit $91.56 (according to Reuters data cited in the reporting). Both benchmarks remained on track for their strongest weekly gains since mid-July, driven by mounting supply concerns. Brent recorded a 7.1 per cent rise over the week, while WTI climbed 9.8 per cent.
Maritime traffic through critical chokepoints reflected the regional volatility. The Bab el-Mandeb strait recorded 31 transiting commodity vessels on Wednesday, surpassing its 10-day average of 25. By contrast, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dipped to six commodity vessels on Wednesday—down from 11 the previous day and sitting well below the 10-day average of about 13 ships (Kpler tracking figures show).
Operation Economic Outcast and Beijing’s Role in Isolating Tehran
The White House is pressing forward with Operation Economic Outcast, an intensified Treasury Department campaign announced last month by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The initiative aims to sever financial lifelines and restrict revenue streams supporting the Iranian government. Vance expressed optimism that Beijing is willing to play ball
with Washington to economically isolate Tehran, describing the Chinese government as far more responsible than Iran in international disputes (republicworld.com detailed).
“Say what you will about them… they are not the sort of nation that shoots at commercial shipping because they’re not getting their way in an international dispute.”
US President Donald Trump
Despite acknowledging policy disagreements between Washington and Beijing, Vance noted that President Donald Trump maintains a strong relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He added that several regional partners—including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf states—are privately taking steps to ensure Iran faces penalties for targeting commercial vessels (republicworld.com reported).
Congressional Pushback and Civilian Casualties Draw International Scrutiny
The conflict’s human cost has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez condemned the administration’s military strategy, accusing officials of war crimes and pointing to civilian casualties (The Independent outlined). Ramirez urged Congress to pass the Block_the_Bombs_Act
to halt ongoing military campaigns. Her remarks followed Iranian reports that U.S. strikes killed five people, including two children, at a wedding party in Kuhestak along the Strait of Hormuz—an incident the Iranian Red Crescent has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate (The Independent documented).
“Congress can’t continue to turn a blind eye on Trump and Hegseth’s war crimes. The time to hold warmongers accountable is now. Congress must pass Block the Bombs Act, reclaim our power, and put an end to this endless war.”
To date, the six-month campaign has claimed the lives of 18 U.S. service members, left at least 750 others injured, and accumulated a total financial cost ranging between $71 billion and $118 billion (according to published casualty and cost figures). As diplomatic and military pressures mount, the administration insists the campaign remains necessary to protect global energy markets, safeguard commercial shipping, and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capabilities (republicworld.com noted).
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