Vance says U.S. has struck targets on Kharg Island, reiterates deadline for Iran; offers two pathways to resolution

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters in Budapest that, to his understanding, the United States had struck some military targets on Kharg Island and that the president’s deadline for an Iranian response remained in place.

Asked whether new information suggested a deal could be reached before the president’s stated deadline, Vance said there were "two pathways" to resolve the standoff: one in which Iran alters its conduct, normalizes relations and re-enters commerce, producing economic and diplomatic benefits; and a second in which Iran declines to do so and faces worsening economic conditions.

Vance also said he believed U.S. military objectives in the confrontation had largely been achieved and described ongoing negotiations about what a post-crisis arrangement might look like. He reiterated that the president had set a deadline—for an Iranian response by 8:00 (U.S. time) on the day in question—and said the United States retained options it had not yet used.

When asked about rhetoric invoking God in connection with strikes, Vance said his approach was to "pray that we are on God's side," and that he hoped policy decisions would align with that hope.

On the Kharg Island reporting specifically, Vance said his conversations with military advisers led him to believe the United States had struck military targets there and that this action did not represent a change in strategy from the president’s stated approach, which he described as reserving strikes on energy infrastructure until after a negotiated outcome or lack of one.

Vance closed by reiterating that the U.S. would prefer a diplomatic resolution but retained additional economic and military tools as leverage if Iran did not change course.