Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the United States is not at war with Iran, despite Iranian forces repeatedly targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

"I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting," Vance stated while fielding questions in the briefing room. He added that he recognized places where hostilities have flared up but maintained the situation falls short of major combat operations.

Vance's remarks came as the administration continues efforts to escort oil tankers through the vital waterway. He noted that Iran had violated agreements to stop attacking shipping and that such actions contribute to elevated energy prices. The vice president pointed to the need to protect global commerce and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons as core U.S. objectives.

The comments follow months of U.S. military actions against Iranian targets, including strikes on nuclear sites and missile facilities earlier this year. Those operations, launched under President Donald Trump, aimed to degrade Tehran's capabilities after Iran advanced toward nuclear weapons and threatened regional shipping.

Vance has consistently framed the conflict as limited in scope compared to past interventions. He has argued that clear objectives distinguish the current approach from prolonged engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Negotiations for a broader agreement remain underway, with the administration emphasizing that any deal must ensure Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions long term.

Gas prices have risen amid the shipping disruptions, though officials have described the increases as temporary. Vance stressed that the priority remains safeguarding American interests without committing to open-ended military involvement.