Vance's latest Iran message clashes with report of military 'off-ramp' push

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance said the United States remains "in the middle of the game" in its standoff with Iran, even as reports suggest senior military officials are looking for ways to prevent the conflict from expanding further.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Saturday, August 8, Vance said recent diplomatic contacts had produced progress but stressed that negotiations were far from complete.

His remarks came a day after CNN reported that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine had been seeking an off-ramp as the conflict continued.

JD Vance warns conflict isn't over

Vance said the administration was still trying to determine whether Iran was prepared to make what Washington considers lasting changes before relations could improve.

"I try to remind people that we're really in the middle of the game here," he said. "This thing is not over. It's obviously not at the beginning. We're in the middle of the game, and we're applying a whole host of tools- diplomatic, economic, military tools- to ensure that we get the best outcome for the American people."

He added that the administration wanted stable energy supplies that would help lower costs for Americans.

Progress tied to Hormuz talks

Vance said discussions involving Iran and Gulf nations, particularly Oman, had focused on restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Vance, Iranian mines placed in the waterway must be cleared before normal shipping can resume. He also said Washington wanted guarantees that commercial vessels will not come under attack.

"They're hurting in a big way. They want this thing to be over," he said.

Vance said negotiations had produced progress over the past several days but added that the administration was still waiting to see whether Iran would meet US expectations.

Report fuels fresh questions

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine privately urged caution as the conflict entered another phase.

According to CNN, Caine warned senior officials that "airpower has its limits" and argued that expanding the military campaign could carry unintended consequences, even while assuring President Donald Trump that the military could successfully execute any option ordered.

One source familiar with the discussions told the outlet, "Caine is looking for an off-ramp."

During her CNN program, Kaitlan Collins said the reporting showed Caine had been "vocal about the potential downsides of launching a major military operation that targets Iran," despite Trump's public claim that the chairman believed a war with Iran would be easily won.

Vance did not address the report during his Fox News interview.