Vice President JD Vance criticizes Netanyahu over Iran war, highlighting intra-administration tensions

Vice President JD Vance reportedly told a close aide that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "wrong on everything" regarding the ongoing Iran conflict, according to a report cited by Axios. The remarks came as Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the recent midterm elections, a defeat Vance linked to the war in a post on X, writing, "The reason we lost is the war."

Senior fellow Natan Sachs of the Middle East Institute told Fox News Digital that the low-level hostility between Vance and Netanyahu could benefit Vance by allowing him to distance himself from the Trump administration while positioning himself differently from President Donald Trump. Sachs added that Vance has led a group of senior officials urging Trump to pursue a negotiated settlement rather than renewed strikes, warning that the unpopular war could jeopardize Republican congressional prospects.

Netanyahu had previously urged Trump to resume strikes against Iran ahead of the midterms, but Trump held off after endorsing Netanyahu for re-election in Israel. Vance has also declined to endorse Netanyahu’s campaign and has criticized Israeli officials who opposed Trump’s efforts to end the war.

A recent AP voter poll found that roughly six in 10 respondents considered U.S. military action against Iran to be the wrong decision. Sachs said the poll’s timing is notable as Vance begins to position himself for a potential 2028 presidential run, emphasizing that he is criticizing Netanyahu rather than Trump.

Vance reportedly sent a letter through Qatari intermediaries to Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei proposing renewed peace talks that would address Iran’s nuclear program. A U.S. official said Trump backed the outreach, and Rezaei confirmed receipt of the letter but did not respond. Sachs speculated that Vance may have been acting on behalf of Trump to negotiate an exit strategy from the conflict.

The White House is reportedly weighing options that include resuming major strikes, maintaining economic and naval pressure, or pursuing a negotiated settlement. Reuters reported that Tehran submitted a formal nuclear proposal through Qatari channels, linking further negotiations to the United States meeting seven specific demands. Sachs noted that any agreement would need to address fundamental issues such as navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and a cessation of hostilities.