‘Trying to sow discord’: J.D. Vance pushes back on disagreements with Trump on Iran

US Vice President Vance on Monday (US local time) refuted what he called an attempt to “drift” between him and the president. Donald Trump About the war in the Middle East.He emphasized that members of the Trump administration are in “complete harmony” on foreign policy.Vance’s relative silence on the ongoing conflict, combined with his earlier comments against military action in the Middle East, has fueled speculation that he and Trump are at odds.ALSO READ | The US-Israel war with Iran: Where is J.D. Vance? The mysterious case of the “missing” vice president“You’re trying to drive a wedge between members of the administration, between me and the president. What the president has said since 2015 – and I agree with him – is that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon,” he told reporters at the White House alongside Trump.When asked if he had reservations about U.S. involvement in the war with Iran, Vance reiterated his support and said he believed Trump “can get the job done,” CNN reported.ALSO READ | Is J.D. Vance hesitant about Iran attack? Trump reveals vice president’s position“We have a smart president, and we’ve had dumb presidents in the past. I’m confident that President Trump will get the job done, do a good job for the American people, and make sure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated,” he added, contrasting the current commander in chief with his predecessor.Vance’s earlier stance on U.S. involvement in foreign conflictsBefore joining the administration, he had expressed skepticism about U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. In a 2023 column, he wrote that Trump owes his success in part to “avoiding war.”In 2024, Vance also said that a war with Iran would not be in the interests of the United States and would “greatly divert resources.”The Marine Corps veteran had earlier warned of a potential “escalation” in 2020 following the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani during Trump’s first term. He also privately expressed doubts about the U.S. attack on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to private messages that emerged during last year’s “Signalgate.”Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command spokesman Timothy Hawkins reported that about 200 U.S. troops in seven Gulf countries were injured in the ongoing military operations against Iran.Most of the injuries were minor, and more than 180 soldiers have returned to duty.According to CNN, 13 U.S. service members have been killed in action so far.(With ANI input)