Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that the United States plans to exit the war in Iran soon after accomplishing the majority of its military objectives.

Vance made the comments during an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. He emphasized that President Donald Trump intends to continue operations for "a little while longer" to ensure Iran's regime is severely weakened, or "neutered," preventing future threats. "We're taking care of business, we're going to be out of there soon, and gas prices are going to come back down," Vance said.

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes across Iran under Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. The strikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, military installations, and naval assets to degrade its capabilities and halt nuclear weapon development.

Now entering its second month, the war has seen thousands of combat sorties and significant damage to Iranian infrastructure. Vance noted that the U.S. has met most goals, including weakening the regime enough to avoid renewed conflict. "We need to neuter them for a very, very long time, and that's the purpose," he added. The administration has ruled out a prolonged presence, stating it has no interest in remaining in Iran a year or two from now.

The fighting has driven up U.S. gasoline prices due to disruptions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. Vance described the increase as a "very, very temporary reaction" to what he called a short-term conflict, predicting a return to normal levels upon withdrawal.

Trump has extended deadlines for certain targets, like energy facilities, while pursuing diplomatic options such as a 15-point ceasefire proposal. The administration maintains the operation aligns with vows to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons without committing to endless war.