Just days after the biggest escalation in hostilities in more than a month, US Vice-President JD Vance says he would not categorise the Iran conflict as a war.
The characterization shapes how the conflict is perceived and what legal or political responses may follow, though the excerpt does not specify what framework Vance proposes instead.
Most affected
US policymakers and Congress — Vance's framing may influence how they respond to further Iranian action.
Likely next
Whether other US officials adopt or reject Vance's characterization, and what specific term Vance uses instead of 'war'.