White House slams 'fake narrative' that Vance is absent from Iran strikes amid Operation Epic Fury

Critics have claimed that Vance has intentionally distanced himself from public appearances and potentially negotiations related to U.S. active military engagement in Iran and the Middle East. 

ABC News had reported that a senior White House official punched back at the idea that Vance wasn't present during the early days of the strikes, saying the national security team had been huddled "all day" and "was deliberate on letting the president's statements and addresses to the nation stand as the operation unfolded."

"The vice president and other administration officials conducted multiple media interviews and will continue to do so," the senior White House official told ABC. "The national security team also held multiple briefing calls with members of the press and key stakeholders after the operation began."

"President Trump will not get the United States into a years-long conflict with no clear objective," Vance told Watters. 

Dignified transfers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware took place after American soldiers were killed during the beginning days of the U.S. military operation against Iran.

"You can't let the craziest and worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons," Vance told Hemmer. "That's what the president is accomplishing. That's what the president has set as our goal. He's going to try to accomplish it diplomatically.

"The president has a number of other tools at his disposal to ensure this doesn't happen," Vance continued. "He's shown a willingness to use them, and I hope the Iranians take it seriously in their negotiations tomorrow, because that's certainly what the president prefers."

With regard to the status of the ongoing conflict and his involvement with strategy itself, Vance addressed reporters at an event in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Friday, saying negotiations among White House officials are classified but noting he has been involved with discussions.

"I'm not going to show up here and in front of God and everybody else, tell you exactly what I said in that classified room, partially because I don't want to go to prison and partially because I think it's important for the president of the United States to be able to talk to his advisors without those advisors running their mouth to the American media."