Vance Rules Out ‘Forever War’ in Iran as US Reportedly Bolsters Regional Military Presence

US Vice President JD Vance has ruled out the prospect of an extended war in Iran. He expressed confidence that President Donald Trump would achieve the administration’s objectives before turning to other priorities.

Vance said Trump would not allow the conflict to become another “forever war”.

He distinguished criticism of foreign military interventions from the argument that the United States should never use its armed forces.

“He’s going to accomplish America’s objectives, and then we’re going to focus on the other things that we’re doing,” Vance said.

Reports of US Military Aircraft Deployments to Israel

Meanwhile, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the United States had sent 10 military cargo aircraft to Israeli air bases in the southern Negev region.

The aircraft reportedly landed at Ovda and Nevatim air bases. KAN also reported that additional US military planes had been dispatched to bases in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

According to the broadcaster, the aircraft departed from Fort Bliss in Texas. The facility hosts major US military air-defence operations.

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There was no immediate US confirmation of the reported deployments. It also remained unclear what the aircraft were carrying or whether Washington had decided to launch an attack against Iran.

An Israeli official told KAN that Israel and the United States were coordinating closely. The official said both countries were preparing for any decision Trump might make.

However, the official did not provide details about the timing or nature of any possible military action.

US Reportedly Strengthens Gulf Air Defences

Earlier this week, KAN reported that Washington had warned Gulf countries about the possibility of a short, limited military campaign against Iran.

The broadcaster also reported that the US military had transferred a Patriot missile defence system from Texas to reinforce regional air defences.

The report further said US personnel at bases across the region had received instructions to leave as a precaution against possible escalation.

It added that American forces were replenishing weapons stocks. An additional aircraft carrier and a Marine Corps unit were reportedly expected to arrive in November.

The reinforcements would join approximately 20 US warships already operating in the Middle East, according to the report.

Vessel Fire Reported in Strait of Hormuz

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported an incident involving a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

The initial report placed the incident 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. A third party reported that an outbound vessel was on fire, although the cause was initially unknown.

UKMTO later issued an update confirming that the crew were safe and that the incident had caused no environmental impact.

According to the updated report, a small boat approached the tanker on its port side and attached two explosive devices to the hull above the waterline. The subsequent blasts caused a fire in the engine room and temporarily disabled the vessel.

UKMTO said the fire had been extinguished and the vessel had resumed its journey to the next port of call.

The agency advised ships to exercise caution while transiting the area. It also urged crews to report suspicious activity as authorities investigated the incident.

Iran Reports Interception of ‘Hostile’ Fighter Jet

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force reportedly intercepted a “hostile” fighter jet near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported that the aircraft had been forced to withdraw from the area. However, they did not identify its origin or model.

The agencies also noted that Iranian authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the incident.

Separately, Fars News Agency reported explosions near the Strait of Hormuz, including waters off Sirik and Qeshm Island.

Citing local sources, Fars said residents had reported flashes of light and sounds in the sky. Some accounts suggested that air defence systems had been activated.

The agency also said preliminary information linked some of the sounds to warning shots fired at vessels allegedly operating without authorisation.

Iranian authorities had not immediately confirmed these reports.

CENTCOM Chief Briefs Trump on Iran Military Options

Meanwhile, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, reportedly briefed Trump on military options involving Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the meeting took place at the White House on Thursday. It came as Washington considered whether to resume major combat operations.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine also attended the meeting, alongside other Cabinet members.

The report cited US officials and people familiar with the discussions.

The meeting followed another gathering at the White House on Wednesday. Military officials had reportedly discussed Iran-related options with Vice President Vance.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over Washington’s next steps. Reports of military deployments, maritime incidents and air-defence activity have added to concerns about a wider confrontation.