08/07/2026
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08/07/2026
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WASHINGTON/ANKARA, July 8: US Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday that the United States would launch military strikes against Iran if it attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz or attempts to block the strategic waterway, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled a planned visit to Israel amid escalating regional tensions.
Speaking at an event in Milwaukee, Vance said any Iranian attack on commercial shipping would draw an immediate US military response.
"If they shoot at ships, we're going to knock the hell out of them. And it's that simple."
He also warned that any attempt by Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz would trigger continued US military action.
"We'll keep hitting them until they open up that lane and stop shooting at ships."
The comments come as tensions continue to escalate following recent exchanges of military strikes between Washington and Tehran and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf.
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post, citing a source, reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had canceled a planned visit to Israel on Wednesday.
Hegseth, who attended the NATO summit in Ankara alongside President Donald Trump, had been expected to travel to Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz following the latest US strikes on Iran.
No official reason was immediately given for the cancellation, although it comes amid rapidly evolving military developments across the region.
