US VP Vance tells NY Post that the conflict with Iran is expected to shift into a "much different phase" in the coming months

Vance said that the first phase of the conflict, focused on destroying Iran’s nuclear programme, conventional military, and power-projection capabilities, is complete, with the current focus shifting to preventing the regime from rebuilding. Despite ongoing US efforts, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly depressed, with only 11 commercial vessels transiting in the last 24 hours compared to a pre-war average of 130. The US continues to conduct "dark" escort missions for oil tankers to mitigate risks from Iranian strikes, while the administration maintains sanctions on Iranian financial entities to degrade the regime's war-funding capabilities.