US Vice President Vance Defends Weak Iran Deal, Warns Israeli Leaders Not to Alienate Their Only Ally
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Vice President JD Vance justified the controversial US-Iran agreement, urging Israeli officials not to jeopardize the vital US-Israel alliance and highlighting the billions in US military aid that support Israel's defense.
Vice President JD Vance defended the United States' recently announced agreement with Iran, insisting it was essential for regional stability, even as many see it as a dangerous concession to a hostile regime. Vance warned Israeli officials that President Donald Trump is currently the only world leader standing firmly with Israel, a stark reminder of the growing global isolation Israel faces. At a White House briefing, Vance said he had not heard any comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but acknowledged that members of the Israeli cabinet have publicly criticized both the deal and Trump, reflecting deep concern over the agreement's implications.
"Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time," Vance told reporters, emphasizing the unique and crucial support Trump provides.
He highlighted that two-thirds of Israel's defensive weapons are manufactured in the United States and funded by American taxpayers, referencing the approximately $4 billion in annual U.S. military assistance that is vital for Israel's security. Vance urged Israeli officials to recognize the strategic importance of that support, warning those who see the U.S. president as Israel's problem to “wake up and smell the reality of the situation.”
The agreement, reached this week, aims to end hostilities with Iran but has drawn criticism in both Washington and Jerusalem for failing to meaningfully limit Iran's missile program or provide a clear path to dismantle its nuclear facilities. Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, said the terms were dangerously weak and failed to address the real threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
In response to Vance's comments, Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich have continued to oppose the deal, rightly insisting that Israeli forces must remain in southern Lebanon to counter Iranian-backed threats. Vance previously told the New York Times that Israel could not solve its security challenges solely through military action, a position that many in Israel's government view as naive given the existential threats they face.
President Trump later posted on social media that all parties in the region should remain committed to negotiations and a comprehensive ceasefire, including in Lebanon and against Hezbollah, but many remain skeptical that Iran or its proxies will honor such commitments.