Vance says Trump sending 'message' to Iran with Kharg video

US Vice President JD Vance told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Monday that President Donald Trump is utilizing social media to deliver a direct warning to Iranian leaders following the circulation of a video depicting the destruction of strategic infrastructure. Vance said Trump is communicating that Iran is "behaving like a terrorist country" and warned that "there are going to be some consequences" if attacks do not cease.

"I think that he's sending a message to the Iranians," Vance said at the Maryland military installation, adding that the administration has "a lot of tools at our disposal" to protect maritime transit. The remarks follow a late Sunday post by Trump on Truth Social featuring an AI-generated video showing Kharg Island — Iran's primary oil export hub — being destroyed. "Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!" the president wrote.

Military capability defended

Vance addressed recent reports concerning strain on US military stockpiles, asserting that the nation remains in a "position of strength" despite inheriting a "depleted" situation from the previous administration. "We certainly saw under the (former President Joe) Biden administration that the military was underinvested in and under-resourced. We're fixing that every day," he said, adding that the military is currently "as strong as we have ever been."

The vice president emphasized Washington's commitment to safeguarding maritime transit routes and deterring Iranian aggression in the Gulf region. His comments come amid ongoing US military operations targeting Iranian positions and infrastructure.

Pentagon denies sustainability reports

Vance's remarks follow a Washington Post report suggesting that top US commanders warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the prolonged war is "unsustainable" and jeopardizes the nation's ability to respond to global threats. The report indicated that military leaders have raised concerns about the impact of extended operations on readiness.

The Pentagon characterized much of that reporting as "inaccurate," according to defense officials. Military leaders maintain that current operations do not compromise the nation's capacity to defend the homeland or respond to other contingencies, despite the ongoing commitment of resources to the conflict with Iran.