Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Vice President JD Vance referenced the 'return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem' while affirming the administration's unwavering support for American service members stationed in the Gulf amidst the intensifying US-Israeli confrontation with Iran.

Speaking during a high-level White House cabinet meeting, the first convened since the outbreak of hostilities nearly a month ago, Vance, a Catholic convert, highlighted the spiritual significance of the timing for those deployed in the region.

'They're fighting at a time where we are about to enter, as Christians, the most important week of the Christian calendar, the Holy Week that celebrates the return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem,' the Vice President noted, bridging the gap between the military mission and the upcoming religious observances.

Extending a personal message to the troops, he added, 'And so I want to say to all of my fellow American Christians, but particularly those serving in the Gulf, that I wish you all a very blessed Easter, a very blessed Holy Week, and we continue to stand behind you and continue to support you every step of the way.'

The session, chaired by Donald Trump, served as a platform for the administration to project a unified front of military resolve and diplomatic pressure. Trump reiterated his warnings to Tehran, cautioning of severe repercussions while simultaneously urging the Iranian leadership to pursue a formal settlement.

Adding a diplomatic dimension to the discussion, envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that the US has transmitted a 15-point 'action list' to Iran through Pakistani channels. He described the move as a potential window for de-escalation, provided Tehran recognises the gravity of the current situation.

'We will see where things lead, and if we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point with no good alternatives for them, other than more death and destruction,' Witkoff stated, adding that there are 'strong signs that this is a possibility.'

The meeting also saw senior officials like Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth address the ongoing conflict. While Rubio lauded Hegseth's operational leadership, the Secretary of State-designate took the opportunity to critique the narrative surrounding the war and reaffirm the dual-track approach of the administration.

'We pray for a deal, and we welcome a deal,' Hegseth remarked, before adopting a more assertive tone regarding the military's role. 'But in the meantime... the Department of War will continue negotiating with bombs.'

Vance emphasised that the President's primary objective remains ensuring that Iran 'didn't get a nuclear weapon,' as Washington continues to balance its 'negotiation with bombs' with a push for a decisive diplomatic breakthrough. (ANI)