Vance defends Iran nuclear deal and rebukes Israeli ministers over criticism

US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday criticised Israeli officials for refusing to support Washington’s nuclear agreement with Iran, defending the newly signed memorandum of understanding and urging Israel to back the deal.

Vance accused members of the Israeli government of failing to appreciate the value of American support and defended the agreement during a press conference at the White House.

Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “Bibi,” Vance told reporters: “You’ve seen some people in Bibi’s cabinet attack the agreement and, in some respects, attack the President of the United States in a very personal way.” He stopped short of directly criticising Netanyahu himself.

“First of all, Trump is currently the only head of state in the world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel. And he is the head of state of the world’s superpower,” Vance said. “If I were in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I would not attack the only powerful ally I have left in the world.”

Vance noted that two-thirds of the munitions used in Israel’s defence over the past three months were manufactured in the United States and financed by American taxpayers. He said Israeli officials should reconsider the perception that the primary problem facing Israel is the US president and instead confront the realities of the situation.

The remarks were directed at Netanyahu’s coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Both have argued that the agreement poses a threat to Israel’s security and have called on Israel to disregard its provisions.

In an earlier interview with The New York Times, Vance said he found “the general panic in Israel a little strange,” arguing that concerns surrounding the agreement stemmed from distrust of the United States.

“It is obvious that broad segments of Israel’s political system and society are very sensitive about this agreement,” Vance said. “But I also think they have taken some misinformation about the agreement, amplified it and worked themselves into a kind of panic.”

Asked how he would respond to the ministers, Vance said: “I think my answer would be: What exactly is your proposal? You are a country of nine million people. You cannot solve every national security problem you have by killing people.”

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Vance said hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah could continue for some time, but stressed that all parties must adhere to their commitments under the agreement. Reiterating expectations that Hezbollah halt rocket and drone attacks, he also said Israel should avoid acting without restraint in Lebanon.

Vance said the US administration expected a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel. While recognising Israel’s right to self-defence, he said attacks on areas of Beirut populated by civilians were unacceptable.

“One thing that has frustrated the President at times is that it seems we are on the verge of a major breakthrough under the agreement, and then suddenly there is a large explosion in a civilian area of Beirut and many people with nothing to do with Hezbollah are killed,” Vance said. “That is unacceptable.”

Vance also addressed criticism concerning sanctions relief and funding provisions for Iran, two of the most controversial elements of the memorandum.

He said the United States had not fully lifted its blockade of Iran but had merely allowed certain transit activities in line with obligations under the early stages of the agreement. Vance added that Iran’s economy remained in severe decline.

Arguing that Iran’s industrial infrastructure had suffered extensive damage over the past three months, Vance said limited oil sales would not be sufficient to revive the Iranian economy.

He also said the pragmatic faction within Iran had prevailed in internal debates and asserted that Iran’s missile programme and nuclear facilities had been largely neutralised, leaving the situation at a level acceptable to the United States.

Israeli objections to the agreement

Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, voiced cautious opposition to what he described as a US willingness to allow Iran to retain some of its ballistic missiles.

Describing Iranian officials as “murderous thugs,” Leiter said Israel remained concerned that Tehran would use such missiles against its neighbours.

Leiter also argued that references to Lebanon in the memorandum were designed to protect Hezbollah. He said Israel could make no compromises on border security and would not tolerate the continued existence of the group’s military presence.

Ben Gvir responded directly to Vance’s criticism in a social media post, calling on the United States to confront Iran with the same determination it showed in fighting Nazi Germany during World War Two.

In his New York Times interview, Vance had referred specifically to “people like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich” when discussing critics of the agreement, asking: “What exactly is your proposal?”

Writing in English on X, Ben Gvir addressed Vance directly, stating: “The proposal is this: Fight the Nazis of the 21st century the way the US fought the Nazis of the 20th century.”