WASHINGTON, September 4. /TASS/. As part of its efforts to exert pressure on Iran, the United States may, among other things, stage covert subversive operations, US Vice President JD Vance told reporters at the White House. "I'm not going to advertise exactly how we're going to engage with the Iranians in the months and years to come because it frankly would take away the president's decision space.

But everything that could happen is on the table: economic pressure, military pressure, diplomatic pressure, covert pressure," he said when asked whether Washington was considering covert operations as a tool of pressure on Iran. The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28.

In June, Washington and Tehran, with Islamabad acting as mediator, signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, in the early morning hours of July 8, the US resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements reached on the Strait of Hormuz.

Kuwait’s General Staff confirmed that air defense systems intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones targeting US military installations early Thursday, according to a statement released in the morning. While the Center for Strategic and International Studies reports that the US has used approximately two-thirds of its pre-war Patriot interceptor inventory since February, with restocking not expected until 2029, these figures are based on analyst estimates rather than confirmed official data.

Additionally, claims that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the IRGC is in "economic death throes" require verification against official transcripts or statements, as the original summary conflates financial policy announcements with ongoing kinetic events.

Vice President JD Vance stated that he does not characterize the situation in Iran as a war, citing the end of major combat operations several weeks ago, while noting that recent military strikes in the region have reportedly intensified.

The Trump administration is pursuing a dual-track strategy combining sanctions under "Operation Economic Outcast" and military pressure to address the ongoing conflict with Iran, though this approach has yet to compel Tehran to concede. Domestic political pressures, including rising energy prices linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and concerns ahead of the November midterm elections, continue to influence both sides' positions.

While President Trump has stated he believes the conflict will end soon, he maintains that these factors will not significantly impact the Republican Party's electoral prospects.