As hostilities between India and Pakistan intensified, U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday made it clear that the United States would not intervene directly in the ongoing conflict, calling it an issue that does not concern America.
Speaking to Fox News, Vance emphasized that while Washington supports diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, the situation does not warrant any form of American military involvement.
“We can try to push for de-escalation, but we’re not going to involve ourselves in a war that has no direct bearing on the United States,” Vance said. He noted that the conflict is ultimately beyond American control, adding, “We can’t force India to stand down. We can’t make Pakistan stop. All we can do is encourage dialogue.”
The Vice President also voiced concerns about the possibility of the conflict spreading further. “Our hope is that it doesn’t evolve into a larger regional war or, worst-case, a nuclear exchange. At this point, we don’t believe it will escalate to that level,” he added.
Escalation at the Border
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations surged further on Thursday, as Pakistan launched a coordinated offensive involving drones, missiles, and heavy shelling across multiple locations, targeting both civilian and military sites.
This was seen as a major escalation in response to India’s earlier action under Operation Sindoor on May 7, during which Indian forces struck terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).
India responded swiftly, intercepting aerial threats and shooting down Pakistani fighter jets as well as an AWACS surveillance aircraft.
Trump Reacts, Offers Mediation
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the escalating crisis, voicing concern and offering to act as a mediator if both nations were open to it.
“It’s terrible. I know both countries well. If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll be there,” Trump said while speaking to reporters at the White House.
The President expressed hope that the conflict would not last long. “It’s a real shame. We heard about it just before stepping into the Oval Office. Given their long history of conflict—decades, even centuries—it’s not entirely surprising. Still, I truly hope it’s resolved quickly,” he remarked.