August 13, 2026 · Foreign Policy, War & National Security
· Official statement
Confirmed
Vance Says Cheap Gas Is 'Goal No. 1' in the Iran War, Ranking Iran's Nuclear Program Second
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Thursday, Aug. 13 that keeping fuel cheap is the first objective of the war with Iran. "That's goal No. 1 — keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country," he said, adding that "obviously goal No. 2 is ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon." The same day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Newsmax the administration would apply "measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country," and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the naval blockade of Iranian ports could continue "indefinitely."
The administration has given shifting public rationales for the conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28: first support for anti-government protests, then Iran's nuclear program, then regime change. Placing consumer fuel prices above nonproliferation reorders the justification for a war now in its sixth month, as the administration faces midterm pressure over prices.
Brent crude sat just above $87 a barrel, about 45% higher than in January, and U.S. gasoline averaged more than $4 a gallon, up from under $3 before the war. Oil rose again Friday. Bessent gave no detail on the promised measures.
The administration has given shifting public rationales for the conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28: first support for anti-government protests, then Iran's nuclear program, then regime change. Placing consumer fuel prices above nonproliferation reorders the justification for a war now in its sixth month, as the administration faces midterm pressure over prices.
Brent crude sat just above $87 a barrel, about 45% higher than in January, and U.S. gasoline averaged more than $4 a gallon, up from under $3 before the war. Oil rose again Friday. Bessent gave no detail on the promised measures.