Vance claims US set back Iran’s nuclear program

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said on Wednesday that Washington has “effectively destroyed” Iran’s nuclear programme and degraded its military capabilities, a claim Tehran called “propaganda” as it demands compensation and an end to the U.S.-led naval blockade before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement comes after a series of covert and overt strikes in Iran and across the region that Western intelligence sources say have set back Tehran’s nuclear enrichment timeline by years. U.S. officials privately point to a 2023 cyberattack on Iran’s Natanz enrichment facility, Israeli sabotage of advanced centrifuges, and the targeted killing of key Iranian nuclear scientists as key factors in crippling Iran’s programme. Vance framed the moves as part of a broader strategy to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon, saying the programme is “no longer a viable path to a bomb.”

Iran’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected Vance’s claim, calling it “a fabrication” and warning that any further escalation would trigger a “decisive response.” Tehran is now demanding $20 billion in reparations for what it calls “economic terrorism” and the immediate lifting of sanctions that have strangled its oil exports. The demand includes an end to U.S.-backed naval patrols in the Persian Gulf that Iran says are a “blockade” in all but name. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, has seen sporadic skirmishes in recent months, raising fears of a wider conflict.

Analysts say Vance’s statement signals a new phase in U.S. policy—one that treats Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a fait accompli rather than a threat to be managed. The next test will come at the United Nations next month, where Iran is expected to push for a resolution condemning U.S. actions. Meanwhile, oil markets are already reacting, with Brent crude futures rising 3% on Wednesday as traders brace for potential disruptions in supply. The White House has not yet commented on Iran’s compensation demand, but U.S. officials say Vance’s remarks were aimed at deterring further Iranian provocations rather than opening negotiations. The message is clear: Washington believes it has already won this round.