President Donald Trump characterized the ongoing conflict with Iran as "small potatoes" for the United States, in a statement aimed at mitigating concerns ahead of crucial midterm elections.
Trump's remarks followed comments by Vice President JD Vance, who suggested the situation should not be labeled a "war" despite increased confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz.
"A lot of people don't call it a war. I call it a military conflict because it's small potatoes for us," Trump stated to reporters in the Oval Office. "It's not a big thing. We did Venezuela, and we did this." He made these comments while surrounded by cattle ranchers during the signing of executive orders concerning beef processing.
The six-month conflict has resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. troops and thousands of Iranians, reaching a stalemate with Tehran disrupting shipping in the strategic waterway. With rising fuel prices potentially impacting Republican control of Congress in the November elections, the administration has sought to minimize the conflict's significance.
Trump asserted that the U.S. was conducting "intermittent strikes" and was "not fighting right now." He reiterated claims of U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz and significant degradation of Iran's military capabilities. "What we've done is amazing. We took over Venezuela and we have essentially taken over Iran," he said.
When pressed about referring to the conflict as "small potatoes" given the casualties, an agitated Trump drew parallels to the prolonged U.S. engagements in Vietnam and Afghanistan. "I don't think it matters what you call it. What matters is the fact we have had tremendous success. We've stopped Iran from having a nuclear weapon," he concluded.
