Texarkana – In a brief exchange with reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, President Donald Trump characterized the months‑long fighting with Iran as “small potatoes” and defended Vice President JD Vance’s decision not to label the hostilities a “war.” The president’s remarks came as the administration announced new sanctions targeting a Turkish financial institution accused of helping Tehran move oil revenue.
Trump and Vance downplay the scope of the conflict
When asked about Vance’s comment that the U.S. engagement with Iran does not constitute a war, President Trump said, “I can understand what he’s saying. I call it a military conflict because it’s small potatoes for us. It’s not a big thing.” He added that U.S. strikes have been “intermittent” and that many Americans do not view the actions as a formal war.
Vice President Vance, speaking at a White House press briefing the day before, reiterated his position, stating, “I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting.” He also avoided predicting an end date for the fighting, noting that the timeline depends on Iran’s own decisions.
Human cost and strategic goals
The conflict has already claimed the lives of 18 U.S. service members and cost taxpayers more than $37.5 billion, according to the Pentagon’s Defense Casualty Analysis System. President Trump contrasted these losses with those of earlier wars, noting that the United States lost no one in the 2019 operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and that Vietnam claimed over 58,000 American lives.
Trump also asserted that the campaign has weakened Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because if they did you probably wouldn’t be standing here.” The administration continues to rely on air strikes alone, avoiding a ground deployment.
New sanctions on a Turkish bank
On the same day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions against Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, a Turkish bank the Treasury says facilitated the transfer of Iranian oil revenues from China to Turkey for conversion into cash and gold. The sanctions are part of “Operation Economic Outcast,” a broader effort to cut off what the administration calls “critical financial lifelines” for the Iranian regime.
Bessent warned that any institution that continues to aid Iran will “find out the hard way” that the United States is serious about isolating Tehran. He added that the U.S. will keep working with allies to “buried the head of the Iranian snake” until the regime capitulates.
Impact on oil flow and regional stability
Despite the conflict, the administration reports that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain near pre‑war levels. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC that about 17 million barrels passed through the strait on Monday with U.S. Navy assistance, and Vice President Vance later noted a similar figure of 15 million barrels escorted on Wednesday.
Brent crude prices have hovered above $95 per barrel since the fighting began, up from roughly $72 per barrel before the conflict. The administration argues that maintaining open shipping lanes helps keep gasoline prices stable for American families.
Looking ahead
With the November midterm elections approaching, Republicans are keen to demonstrate that the administration can protect national security while limiting the human and financial costs of overseas engagements. President Trump and Vice President Vance both emphasized that the United States remains vigilant, but they continue to resist labeling the Iran engagement as a full‑scale war.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
