Vance Issues Blunt Warning to Israel as He Defends Trump’s Deal

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday delivered an extraordinarily direct rebuke to Israeli critics of the U.S.-Iran peace agreement, as he sought to defend the preliminary deal with repeated misrepresentations of some of its terms.

“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 said. He added, “If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”

The agreement has faced mounting criticism from Israeli lawmakers as well as some Republicans in Washington, who argue that it gives Iran economic relief while punting negotiations on its nuclear program down the road.

The 60-day clock for the United States and Iran to negotiate the future of Iran’s nuclear program and other issues has begun, Vance said.

Not long after, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said in his first statement since the preliminary agreement was signed that Iran would not submit to “excessive demands,” according to Iranian state media.

“In-person negotiations that will take place in the future do not mean accepting the enemy’s view,” he said in the statement, which cast his country’s bargaining position as a strong one. President Donald Trump, he said, had struck a deal “out of desperation.”

Israel is not a party to the deal, and its fighting with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia in Lebanon, had threatened to derail the U.S.-Iran talks to the increasing frustration of American officials. Vance’s barbed remarks from the White House came a day after Trump admonished Israel over its military campaign.

Vance also reminded Israeli critics of the deal that, according to him, two-thirds of the weapons “that have protected your homeland” were U.S.-made and paid for by Americans’ tax dollars.

Responding to criticism about the sanctions relief that Iran is set to receive, Vance said Iran would have to “change their behavior” first — even though the deal lays out several benefits, including some sanctions waivers that begin “upon the implementation of this MOU.”

Those terms include the United States unfreezing assets and releasing restricted funds, and both sides committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway whose closure roiled global supply chains and prices. Iran also immediately receives waivers on sanctions from the Treasury Department for the export of oil and other petroleum products that have long been restricted.

Other elements of the agreement, such as broader sanctions relief, would take place on “an agreed-upon schedule as part of the final deal.”

Vance claimed that lifting oil sanctions on Iran was “not a new benefit” for the country, even though severe economic restrictions in place before the war meant that Iran had to sell its oil at a steep discount. Lifting sanctions means it will be able to fetch higher prices, sell to a wider array of buyers and receive payment in more currencies.

Asked about Iran’s ballistic missiles, Vance told reporters that it was impossible to tell any country that they’re not allowed to maintain a self-defense capacity. He said the administration’s priority was to stop Iran from sowing regional chaos.

At the start of the war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missiles as one of the key goals of the war. That objective has not been achieved. according to U.S. intelligence estimates.

Here’s What Else We’re Covering:

— Economic pressure: Although Trump and Vance have threatened repercussions for Iran if it does not satisfy U.S. demands, Iran retains significant leverage in its negotiations. Trump stressed Wednesday that he was deeply concerned about avoiding “economic catastrophe” as a result of a prolonged conflict, and he faces midterm elections with voters who broadly disapprove of the war.

— Lebanon: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he does not feel bound by the memorandum’s terms, saying that Israel would maintain troops in areas of southern Lebanon. Iran has said it would hold the United States responsible for ensuring that Israel complies with the deal.

— Rebuilding Iran: Trump has denied that the United States would invest in a rebuilding fund, but the prospect has still attracted criticism from some Republican lawmakers.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Erica L. Green, Max Bearak, Jonathan Swan and Rebecca F. Elliott/Allison Robbert
c. 2026 The New York Times Company

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