Vance Defends Iran Deal, Tells Israeli Critics They Can't Kill Their Way Out of Problems

Vice President JD Vance told The New York Times columnist Ross Douthat that Israeli officials who oppose the new U.S.-Iran agreement need to offer a concrete alternative.

"You've seen people in their system — Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — who've attacked the deal. And I guess my response to them would be: What is your exact proposal? You're a country of 9 million people," Vance said in the interview posted Thursday. "You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have."

The United States and Iran have reached a new Memorandum of Understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran's nuclear program. Critics say the arrangement resembles the 2015 nuclear deal by offering economic concessions before permanent limits are in place. Supporters say it is the best available option to avoid a wider war and a major shock to global oil supplies.

Douthat noted that the deal is unpopular in Israel and asked whether Vance sees a gap between U.S. and Israeli interests. Vance said many Israelis are reacting to misinformation about the agreement.

"I fundamentally believe this deal will be good for the entire region and for the world. That includes, of course, the Israelis," he said. He added that the administration's first duty is to American interests and that President Trump has shown he will pursue those interests when they diverge from Israel's.

Vance said he has not seen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticize the deal, though other Israeli officials have spoken out. He pointed to National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, who recently called for all of Lebanon to burn after Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers.

Vance also warned Israeli officials this week against attacking their only powerful ally. He said the United States has already protected Israeli lives with missile defenses, destroyed much of Iran's nuclear program, and brought Tehran to the table with offers that would have been unthinkable six months ago.

When asked what he would tell Republican critics such as Sen. Ted Cruz who fear the deal is a sellout, Vance said the administration is focused on real problems, not abstract ones. He asked opponents what they would do instead of the current talks and said he does not appreciate criticism without alternatives.