WANA (July 20)—The presidential election in Iran has ended, but political discussions continue among Iranians in various forums. Monitoring U.S. news has always been a political interest for Iranians, and it seems essential to them who the next U.S. president will be.

 

Iranians remain optimistic that the entry of a reasonable president in the U.S. might improve their economic conditions and livelihoods. However, over the past decades, it has been proven that none of the U.S. presidents from either party have been willing to lift sanctions against Iran or facilitate economic improvements for Iranians.

 

In Iranian society, Trump’s potential return to the presidency is seen as a threat to Iran’s future. They believe that Donald Trump’s harsh actions against Iran could one day escalate to a full-scale war.

 

Trump’s statements in his campaign about Iran are not promising. “I told China and other countries if you buy from Iran, we will not let you do any business in this country,” Trump said in his campaign.

 

The selection of J.D. Vance as Trump’s running mate, who holds extreme views against Iran, has complicated the situation further. J.D. Vance, in an interview with Fox News, made a strange comment, threatening Iran with a significant attack and severe blow. “A lot of people recognize that we need to do something with Iran—but not these weak little bombing runs. If you’re going to punch the Iranians, you punch them hard,” Vance said.

 

No officials in Tehran have responded to these remarks by Trump’s young running mate. The most significant reaction from Iranians on social media pertains to Vance’s comments glorifying the assassination of their beloved General Qassem Soleimani as an honor and a proper action. “If you want to hit the Iranians, you strike them. And that’s what we did when we eliminated Qassem Soleimani,” Vance said.

WANA - J.D. Vance & Donald Trump

WANA – J.D. Vance & Donald Trump. Photo: Social Media 

J.D. Vance’s statements seem more like boastful rhetoric aimed at pleasing Tel Aviv rather than scaring the rulers in Tehran. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that American politicians and decision-makers have short memories, forgetting that previous candidates have made these threats against Iran and never actualized.

 

Where does Vance’s harsh stance come from? Someone who has drawn his sword before even arriving. Vance is a staunch supporter of Israel in foreign policy and a strong advocate of Peter Thiel, the Jewish billionaire member of AIPAC and owner of Palantir. This company provided Israel (the occupier) with advanced AI war technology for targeting Gaza under a multi-billion dollar contract.

 

As the vice-presidential candidate, Vance has set a record in U.S. history by advocating for war against a UN member state. By stating that “America must go to war with Iran,” he sends the message that he is likely a puppet of U.S. arms companies.

 

This war-mongering approach by Trump and his team is more for electoral purposes than practical application in the real world. If it were feasible, Trump would have implemented it during his previous four-year presidency. It should not be forgotten that at the end of Trump’s first term, some officials in Tehran wished for his re-election.

 

Many officials and political analysts in Tehran believe that contrary to popular analysis, Trump’s return to power in the U.S. is not necessarily a threat to Iran and could even be positive in some ways. The central positive aspect for Iranians is that, given the global disdain for Trump, from West to East, he might be unable to form a solid anti-Iran coalition, which Obama and some other U.S. presidents managed to do to some extent.

 

Who is JD Vance

WANA - J.D. Vance

WANA – J.D. Vance. Photo: Social Media 

is an American author, venture capitalist, and politician known for his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” published in 2016. Born on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, Vance grew up in a working-class family in the Rust Belt, an area marked by economic decline and social challenges. His memoir, which details his upbringing and the struggles of the white working-class communities in Appalachia, received widespread acclaim and became a bestseller. The book’s candid exploration of poverty, addiction, and cultural decay struck a chord with many readers, contributing to national conversations about class and the American Dream.

 

In addition to his literary success, Vance has had a significant career in business and politics. He graduated from Yale Law School in 2013 and worked as a venture capitalist before entering politics. In 2022, Vance won the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio, running on a platform that emphasized economic nationalism, border security, and a critique of corporate and political elites.

 

His political stance reflects a shift from his earlier, more moderate views, aligning more closely with the populist wave within the Republican Party. Vance’s journey from a troubled childhood to a prominent public figure underscores his narrative of personal resilience and the broader challenges facing America’s heartland.

 

As of recent updates, J.D. Vance is serving as a U.S. Senator from Ohio. He assumed office on January 3, 2023, after winning the 2022 election. In the Senate, Vance is involved in various legislative activities and committees, focusing on issues such as economic policy and national security and addressing the concerns of his constituents in Ohio. His work reflects his continued emphasis on economic nationalism, border security, and critiques of corporate and political elites, which were central to his campaign platform.