Former Vice President Mike Pence has urged Donald Trump to “finish the job” in Iran following a prolonged period of economic pressure on Tehran.
Speaking with CNN’s State of the Union, Pence described the continuation of military action as “inevitable” as President Trump seeks a long-lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East.
Vice President of the United States Mike Pence speaking at the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. By Gage Skidmore.
“It’s going to be absolutely imperative that we keep the pressure on, and that we keep the military assets in the region to be able to take the action that I believe is going to be inevitable,” he told CNN’s Dana Bush on Sunday, 23rd August. “The time’s going to come sooner rather than later when the president and our ally Israel are going to have to go in and finish the job.”
Pressuring for Peace
Since April, the Trump administration has pursued economic sanctions over military strikes.
The U.S. has targeted foreign banks and firms continuing to conduct business with Tehran since fighting ceased earlier this year, largely due to the Iranian regime’s refusal to open the Strait of Hormuz – a key shipping lane from which 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes through. On Monday, 24th August, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened “an economic D-Day” by severing all economic ties with Iran and any country which it may partner with financially.
Even though strikes on Iran have largely halted since a ceasefire earlier this year, efforts to reach a long-lasting peace agreement have not proved fruitful. A 60-day memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran has expired, although continual strikes have not resumed since.
This effort of diplomacy has run its course, according to Pence, who previously described the memorandum of understanding as “appeasement” and a “lifeline” to the Iranian regime.
Pence Reiterates Actions
It’s not the first time that the former vice president has called for military action. In an interview with Fox News earlier this month, Pence said he believed Trump would also conclude that negotiations are no longer effective.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Paul Lopez, F-22 Demo Team commander, performs an aerial demonstration during the Thunder over Georgia Air Show at Robins Air Force Base, Sept. 28, 2019. Founded in 2007, the F-22 Raptor Demo Team showcases the unique capabilities of the world’s premier 5th-generation fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Sam Eckholm)
“I honestly think the time has come for the president of the United States to unleash the armed forces of the United States,” Pence said. “Given [Iran’s] posture and their attitudes and even denying negotiations are happening, I have every confidence there will come a moment where my old running mate has had enough and we oughta [sic] turn loose the greatest military.”
Standing By Sanctions… For Now
Trump, who faces the upcoming midterms while trying to resolve an unpopular conflict, continues to stand by economic pressure. Last Wednesday, Trump announced the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country” in a Truth Social post.
“This will be economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale,” Trump wrote. “ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences. This will be an economic D-Day, and we need all of our allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate and defeat the Iran threat.”
Will it Work?
Both Trump’s and Bessent’s descriptions of an economic D-Day suggest they believe that further sanctions will eventually convince the Iranian regime to concede.
D-Day, after all, marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, as Berlin fell less than one year after the assault on occupied France.
Yet, considering they have been a factor of the Iranian regime since it took power in 1979, it’s fair to say that Iran is no stranger to economic sanctions, and so one must question as to whether the latest round of financial pressure will cripple a nation which has been forced into some sense of isolationism for much of its modern history.
The Strait of Hormuz is another key sticking point, ever since Iran realized its leverage shortly after the conflict began in February.
Iran knows Trump is under huge pressure to reopen the Strait, so it is unlikely to relinquish control without major concessions from the U.S. Pence may be outspoken in his belief that military action is the only solution, but he’s unlikely to be alone in that view.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist based in Canada. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
