JD Vance defends Iran deal and challenges Israeli critics to name a plan
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Vice President J.D. Vance spoke candidly with the New York Times’ Ross Douthat this week about how pro-Israel groups have criticized Iran’s deal with the United States, saying Israel “cannot kill” its way out of its problems at some point.
“You’ve seen people in their systems – [Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich attacking the deal. I guess my answer to them would be: What exactly is your offer? You’re a country of 9 million people,” he said in an interview published Thursday. “You can’t just kill the way to solve every national security problem you face.”
The US and the Iranian regime have prepared a new Memorandum of Understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address the Islamic regime’s nuclear program. Critics say the deal is reminiscent of the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal long derided by President Donald Trump by making economic concessions to Tehran before imposing permanent restrictions, while supporters argue it is the most practical way to prevent a broader Middle East war and a potentially devastating shock to the global economy.
“I don’t think this agreement is popular in Israel right now. I don’t think you’re a particularly popular figure in Israel today,” Douthat said, asking whether he agreed with the growing perception that there is a mismatch between U.S. and Israeli interests.
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Vice President J.D. Vance has done several high-profile interviews while promoting his new book. (Alex Brandon, Pool/AP Photo)
“What I would say here is that it’s clear that a large segment of the Israeli political system and population is very sensitive about this agreement, but I also think they got some misinformation about the agreement and implemented it and panicked,” Vance said. “And fundamentally, I believe that this agreement will be good for the entire region and the world. This includes, of course, the Israelis.”
He said he believes this agreement is the best possible scenario around the world, saying, “Fundamentally, we are concerned about what is in the best interest of the American people. And when he sees incompatibility between the goals of the political system in Israel and the goals of the American people – and I think the President has shown this – he is ready to say that where there are differences, we will follow America’s interests.”
Vance stated that he did not see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticizing the agreement, but other Israelis were quite vocal.
Vance said, referring to Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir: latest controversial X post In response to the killing of four Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah, he said, “Out of respect for Americans, Israel must make clear to the world that the blood of our sons and the safety of our citizens are not lost. All of Lebanon must burn. Our greatest duty is to protect Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers, and this commitment takes precedence over all other considerations.”
Vance’s words to Douthat came as follows: Israeli officials warned Speaking at the White House this week, I objected to “attacking the only powerful ally I have left anywhere in the world.”
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Vice President J.D. Vance publicly challenged Israeli critics this week. (Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images)
“Look at what we accomplished,” Vance told Douthat. “First of all, the Americans have protected the lives of many Israelis through our missile systems and missile programs over the last several months. We have destroyed their nuclear program. We have brought the Iranians to the point where they are offering something — again, we’ll see if they actually take action — but they are offering things that would have been imaginable even six months ago. So let’s finish this negotiation.”
Douthat then asked him what he would say to more hawkish GOP figures like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who might fear the Iran deal would be a “massive sellout.”
“We’re in the business of solving real problems, not solving abstract problems, and if your view is to open the Straits, to persuade them to destroy enriched uranium, and the many other potential benefits that will come with this deal, it’s not just about whether that’s good or bad, it’s about ‘What’s the alternative?’ ‘What do you want to do?'” Vance asked.
“If your proposal is to send 200,000 ground troops to Tehran to make Reza Pahlavi the leader of the country, then say so,” he said. “But I don’t appreciate criticism without alternatives.”
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Supporters of the Trump administration’s new Memorandum of Understanding with Iran argue that it is the most practical way to prevent a broader Middle East war and a potentially devastating shock to the global economy through blocking the Strait of Hormuz. (THE Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY via Reuters)
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