'Wake up': US VP Vance rebukes Israeli critics of Iran deal

Lead

US Vice President JD Vance has publicly rebuked Israeli critics of the US-Iran agreement, warning them not to attack the "only powerful ally" Israel has left. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Vance defended the memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian on Wednesday, which aims to end the war and includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran.

Vance's remarks, reported by multiple outlets including ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, BBC, Dawn, and South China Morning Post, marked an unusually direct public criticism of Israel from a senior US official. He said that Israeli cabinet members who attacked the deal were attacking the US president, and he questioned their alternatives.

Coverage Comparison

Across the coverage, Vance's central message is consistent: Israel should be grateful for US support and should not undermine the agreement. Reports from various outlets highlight his specific comments. ABC Australia quoted him saying that Israel should "wake up and smell the reality of the situation" and that the problem for Israel is not President Trump. Al Jazeera reported Vance's criticism of Israeli ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and his call for them to "give a little bit of credit to the United States of America." Dawn noted that Vance issued a "rare rebuke" of Israel, while TASS described his remarks as "slamming" Israeli leadership.

The Guardian's analysis framed Vance's role as a personal gamble, noting that he has made himself the face of the deal despite previously opposing the war. The Jerusalem Post reported that Vance questioned the specific proposals of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, saying, "What is your exact proposal? You're a country of nine million people. You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have." Vance also stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not scrutinized the deal to the same extent as the two ministers, possibly because he is "a little bit more familiar with the details."

Some sources noted President Trump's own defense of the agreement. South China Morning Post quoted Trump calling opponents of the deal "fools" and either "jealous, bad people, or stupid" on social media. This quote was also referenced in a TASS report. The BBC reported that Vance brushed aside a question about being set up as the "fall guy" for the deal, saying the president was joking.

Key Claims

The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war, as reported by multiple outlets including Dawn, TASS, and The Hindu. The agreement includes a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, sanctions relief, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, BBC, and South China Morning Post. Dawn also noted a 60-day timeline for further talks, during which Iran will need to prove compliance to receive benefits.

Vance stated that Iran will "have to perform" and honor its end of the deal, and that if it does not, it will not receive the benefits. He also said the US has "all the cards" and expressed faith in President Trump's negotiating skills.

However, some reports noted that the agreement does not address Iran's ballistic weapons program or its support for proxies in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera. The BBC quoted Vance calling the deal a "significant first step" towards stopping Iran's nuclear program.

Perspectives

US Vice President JD Vance: Vance defended the deal as being in America's interests and criticized Israeli officials for opposing it. He said that over the last three months, two-thirds of the defensive weapons that protected Israel were built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars. He warned that Israel should not attack the "only powerful ally" it has left.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: In response to Vance's comments, Netanyahu said Israel has support from other countries, including India, which he called a "small country" with 1.4 billion people. He said Israel has "many, many friends" and that its relations are not as they appear. He also pushed back against Vance's claim that the US is Israel's sole powerful ally, citing overwhelming support from India and other nations.