Vance confirms calls to generals, admirals on US foreign policy

Vice President Vance appeared to confirm on Monday a New York Times story that reported he made calls to U.S. military commanders in the Middle East, Asia and Europe to get their assessments on the Iran war .

“I trust Pete and I trust Dan Caine, but I found that story very weird,” Vance told reporters. “It’s like the vice president calls around to admirals and generals to try to understand America’s foreign policy, of course I do.”

The Times reported on Thursday that Vance made the calls during the spring and summer after he was directed by President Trump to figure out a way to end the conflict between Washington and Tehran.

According to the publication, commanders relayed to Vance that they were worried about the supply of Patriot interceptors. The Times also reported that the vice president discussed strategy, objectives, casualty assessments and the Strait of Hormuz.

Vance reportedly came away from the conversations with concerns after learning how much Tehran was willing to endure in order for their government to survive and relayed this to Trump and those close to the president.

The vice president, who has voiced opposition to long-term foreign entanglements, was said to have raised concerns about starting a war with Iran.

Earlier this month he said he would not characterize the U.S. military operation in Iran presently as a “war.”

“I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting. I recognize there have been places where this has flared up,” the vice president told reporters at a press briefing.