Pence Says US and Israel Must ‘Finish the Job’ in Iran

Former Vice President Mike Pence said on Sunday that the United States should be ready for additional military action against Iran, describing such steps as “inevitable”.

Speaking to Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union, Pence argued that Washington must maintain pressure and keep forces in the region able to carry out further operations.

Pressure And Military Readiness

Pence said it was “absolutely imperative” for the US to continue applying pressure and to retain military assets in the region so the administration can take the action he expects will have to happen. He framed the prospect of further strikes as the next logical stage of the US approach.

His comments came as fighting between US and Iranian-linked forces has continued despite earlier efforts to reduce hostilities.

Ceasefire Agreement Expired

A 60-day memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides in mid-June aimed to pause fighting. However, US and Iranian militaries have traded strikes since early July.

The ceasefire period set out in the memorandum also ended this week. Pence said there was no indication, in public, of a renewed agreement between officials in Washington and Tehran.

With no visible settlement announced, the exchange of force has continued to shape the political debate in the United States around how to respond to Iran.

Trump Ramps Up Economic Warfare

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his administration was increasing what he described as economic pressure on Iran.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that any country allowing its financial institutions, businesses, airports or government entities to provide support that could help Iran would face economic consequences from the US.

Trump’s message was framed as part of a broader strategy to isolate Iran economically rather than rely solely on military action.

Pence Links Sanctions to “D-Day” Rhetoric

Pence, speaking on Sunday, compared the administration’s measures to “D-Day style economic sanctions”, echoing Trump’s Wednesday language. Trump had argued that the sanctions would be an “economic D-Day” for Iran.

Pence also suggested Iran did not yet believe it had been defeated, pointing to remarks made by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this weekend about ending the war.

Pezeshkian said the country would not submit to the enemy or accept humiliation, and he said Iran could stand with “power” while pursuing solutions “with logic”.

Based on that rhetoric, Pence said the “time’s going to come” for the US and Israel to “finish the job” in Iran. He added that peace should be made with a defeated adversary, telling Bash: “You don’t make peace with your enemy.” He continued: “You make peace with your defeated enemy.”

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24 August 2026