US Vice President JD Vance privately sought candid assessments from American military commanders about the Iran war, with officials saying the briefings raised concerns over depleted weapons stocks, Iran’s resilience and the prospects of achieving a successful outcome, according to The New York Times.
Vance reportedly contacted commanders in the Middle East, Europe and Asia during the spring and summer, seeking their individual assessments before they were incorporated into broader Pentagon evaluations.
The discussions covered the war’s objectives and tactics, potential casualties, Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz and the ability of Iranian forces to adapt to US military operations.
US weapons stockpiles emerge as major concern
According to officials cited by the newspaper, Vance also sought detailed information about military stockpiles and how transferring weapons to the Middle East could affect US readiness in other regions.
Commanders reportedly expressed particular concern about depleted stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles, which are a key component of US air defence systems.
By late spring, one US military theatre had fewer than 100 Patriot interceptors available, according to the report.
The conflict had also depleted supplies of other critical long-range missile systems, with commanders warning that stocks of important munitions were at their lowest levels they had seen.
The shortages raised concerns about Washington’s ability to respond to threats elsewhere while continuing to support military operations against Iran.
Vance reportedly questioned prospects of success
The private assessments also reportedly left Vance deeply concerned about the broader strategy and prospects for success.
Military officials told him that Iran’s government appeared prepared to absorb significant damage in its effort to survive, while the United States faced limits on the supply of defensive weapons needed to counter Iranian retaliation.
Vance incorporated the assessments into his private discussions with President Donald Trump and other senior officials, according to the report.
Private assessments differ from public messaging
The report said there was a significant difference between the more cautious assessments Vance received privately and the public picture presented by senior administration officials.
Trump has publicly described the US campaign as successful and has said Iranian military capabilities were severely damaged.
Vance himself recently downplayed the characterization of the conflict as a war.
The New York Times report said, however, that Vance’s calls to military commanders were made with the knowledge of Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
A Pentagon spokesman said Hegseth had facilitated direct access to combatant commanders so that the president’s team could receive all available information about ongoing operations.
Military officials rejected the suggestion that there was a gap in the advice being provided to Trump and other senior leaders.
Vance closely tracks Iran conflict
Vance reportedly began seeking more detailed briefings shortly after the conflict began on February 28.
He has closely followed military operations, developments inside Iran and the intelligence underpinning US assessments, according to officials cited by the newspaper.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has also reportedly given Vance direct access to agency analysts, while the Office of Naval Intelligence prepared daily reports for him on activity in the Strait of Hormuz.
The reports tracked ships passing through the strategic waterway, including their flags and cargo.
Vance also reached out to commanders responsible for regions outside the immediate Iran conflict, including the Indo-Pacific, because weapons and equipment from those theatres were being redirected to support operations in the Middle East.
