Former Vice President Mike Pence stated Sunday that the U.S. military should prepare for further strikes against Iran, describing such action as inevitable. During an appearance on CNN’s "State of the Union," Pence argued that the United States must maintain military assets and pressure in the region to finish what he described as the job in Iran.
The comments follow the expiration this week of a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was intended to pause hostilities between the two nations. Despite the agreement signed in mid-June, the U.S. and Iranian militaries have exchanged strikes since early July. As of this week, there has been no public indication of a new deal between Washington and Tehran.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced an escalation of economic measures against Iran, characterizing them as "economic warfare." In a post on Truth Social, the president warned that any country or entity providing a "lifeline" to Iran, including through financial institutions or airports, would face U.S. economic consequences. Pence likened these measures to "D-Day style economic sanctions," echoing Trump’s own terminology.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the situation this weekend, stating that Iran would not be "humiliated before the enemy." Pezeshkian said the country could "stand with power but with logic" to solve its problems. Pence responded to this rhetoric by stating that peace is made with a "defeated enemy" and argued that Iran does not yet understand it has been defeated.
For the average person, these policies may manifest as changes in global energy prices or shipping costs, particularly as the U.S. claims deeper control of the Strait of Hormuz—a key oil transit point. While the immediate day-to-day impact on U.S. household bills is not yet quantified, the move toward "economic D-Day" sanctions suggests a shift in trade relations that could affect global markets. Residents in the Middle East would notice the continued presence or movement of U.S. military assets, which Pence described as imperative to maintain.
The breakdown of the 60-day MOU sets a precedent for the failure of short-term pauses in this specific conflict. It signals a move away from diplomatic pauses toward sustained military readiness and heightened economic penalties. Following the expiration of the ceasefire this week, the next steps involve the implementation of the retaliatory economic consequences promised by President Trump on Truth Social. No specific dates for new military actions or the rollout of additional sanctions were confirmed in the reports.