JD Vance says US won’t send ground troops to change Iran’s government

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has said the United States has no plans to deploy ground troops to Iran to bring about regime change, arguing that diplomacy—not prolonged military action—offers the only lasting solution to the crisis between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking during a podcast interview, Vance stressed that negotiations remain the most realistic path to reducing tensions, while criticizing those who oppose diplomatic engagement with Iran.

“Those who reject negotiations have little to offer beyond endless and ineffective bombing campaigns,” he said, warning that military action alone cannot resolve the long-running dispute.

His remarks appeared to distance the administration from recent media reports suggesting that President Donald Trump was considering sending American ground forces into Iran.

Vance firmly rejected that possibility, saying the United States would not deploy troops to remove Iran’s leadership.

“If the Iranian people want to change their government, that is a decision for them to make,” he said, emphasizing that Washington should not attempt to impose political change through military intervention.

The vice president explained that recent US military operations targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities were designed to achieve a limited, short-term objective rather than signal the start of a broader military campaign.

According to Vance, the administration’s immediate strategic priority is ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, safeguarding the uninterrupted flow of global oil and natural gas supplies through one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

He warned that any prolonged disruption in the waterway could have serious consequences for global energy markets and the international economy.

Vance also made striking claims about foreign lobbying efforts related to US policy on Iran.

He alleged that certain figures within the Israeli government had spent significant sums on a foreign influence campaign in the United States aimed at undermining a potential diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

Despite those efforts, he said, his focus would remain on protecting American national interests.

“Regardless of outside pressure, my priority will always be the interests of the United States,” Vance said.

His comments come after a US newspaper, citing unnamed American officials, reported that President Trump had begun considering the possibility of deploying ground forces in Iran amid escalating regional tensions.

The White House has not officially confirmed those reports.

Vance’s latest remarks suggest that while Washington remains prepared to use limited military force when it considers necessary, the administration continues to view diplomacy, regional stability and the protection of global energy supplies as its long-term priorities in dealing with Iran.

His comments are likely to fuel further debate over the future direction of US policy as tensions in the Middle East continue to evolve.