A major nonprofit that works on public policy and was co-led by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush praised President Donald Trump for ordering Saturday’s military strikes against Iran.
In 2008, Ambassador Mark Wallace, who worked for Bush’s brother as a UN ambassador, and Dennis Ross, a former George H.W. Bush diplomat, started United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI) to fight the threats posed by the Islamic Republic.
The group has been at the forefront of bringing attention to Iran’s human rights violations and attacks on Americans, as well as warning policymakers and the business community about the threats posed by Tehran.
The group gives advice to current and potential business partners in Iran about the legal, financial, and reputational risks of doing business with that country.
“UANI salutes the courage and professionalism of American and Israeli service members carrying out this historic mission against the Iranian regime,” Bush and Wallace told Fox News Digital.
“We applaud President Trump for his courageous decision to launch this military operation. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has unleashed terror, violence and misery — against its own people and across the region — while threatening the United States, Israel and our allies.”
Bush, who ran against Trump in a bruising 2016 primary, and Wallace noted that many presidents tried to bring Iran into the “peaceful community of nations” but were not able to finish the job.
“This president engaged extensively and in good faith to achieve a diplomatic solution,” they said after Trump indicated as recently as last week he wanted to negotiate terms.
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“The regime chose escalation and continued its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The responsibility for this moment rests squarely with Ayatollah Khamenei.”
Vice President JD Vance stated that there is “no chance” the United States will become involved in a full-scale war with Iran if Donald Trump decides to launch new military strikes.
Speaking aboard Air Force Two on Thursday, Vance mentioned that the president is still considering his options, while indirect talks are ongoing to address Iran’s nuclear program.
His remarks come after reports that Trump’s advisers would prefer Israel to strike Iran first, as Americans would likely respond more favorably to the U.S. supporting an ally rather than initiating conflict with Tehran without clear provocation.
Vance emphasized to The Washington Post that the country would not become entangled in another prolonged war in the region, following the unsuccessful military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight – there is no chance that will happen,” he said, pointing to the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in January and the strikes on Iran last summer as operations that were “very clearly defined.”
The comments come after private criticism from General Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Reports this week indicated that he cautioned Trump that an attack on Iran could lead to a prolonged conflict.
Caine, who is involved in U.S. military planning, reportedly warned that Iranian retaliation—threatened by the regime—could result in significant U.S. casualties and escalate into a cycle of violence. In response, Trump stated on social media that these reports were incorrect.
“General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see war but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won,” Trump added.
Last week, before the strikes in Iran began, Vance added, “I think we all prefer the diplomatic option. But it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say.”
