US Vice President JD Vance stated on 2026-02-28 that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly returned to pre-war levels. ^[1] US Vice President JD Vance stated on March 3 that the United States will not engage in dialogue with Iran as long as Tehran continues to attack merchant ships. ^[2] US officials reported that between 20 and 30 ships cross the Strait of Hormuz daily, representing approximately 10 million barrels of oil. ^[3] Vice President Vance claimed that Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz maritime route has practically disappeared. ^[4] Vice President Vance stated that major combat operations between US and Israeli forces lasted only six weeks since the conflict began on February 28. ^[5] JD Vance insisted that the United States would not reopen negotiations with Iran until the country ceased attacks against commercial maritime transport. ^[6] JD Vance stated that active combat in the region had ceased, noting that there were no active shootings at the time of his remarks. ^[7] Vance reported that approximately 15 million barrels of oil were transported through the Strait of Hormuz the previous night, a level nearly identical to pre-conflict volumes. ^[8] Vance warned that a global energy crisis would have occurred if the United States had not protected merchant vessels from Iranian attacks. ^[9] Vance warned Iran to stop its actions against civilian vessels and stated that the Trump administration has additional economic, military, and diplomatic tools available to pressure Tehran. ^[10] Vance indicated that the US possesses numerous additional tools for pressuring Iran, including economic, military, and diplomatic measures, though the specific choice remains with President Trump. ^[11] Vance expressed skepticism regarding Iran's claim that US airstrikes caused casualties at a wedding hall in southern Iran, noting that Iran's state media has not been accurate in reporting on the conflict. ^[12]