Vice President J.D. Vance responded to criticism from Israeli cabinet ministers directed at President Donald Trump regarding a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran that was disclosed on Wednesday.
During a press conference on Thursday, Vance discussed his views with Axios. Reportedly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed displeasure over the negotiations. Vance mentioned that this report didn’t accurately capture his discussions with Netanyahu, though he conceded that the prime minister might have expressed different opinions elsewhere.
Vance found it “frustrating” that some members of Netanyahu’s cabinet made personal attacks against the U.S. president. He stated that this was inappropriate given the current global context.
His message to these officials was quite clear: “First, Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the state of Israel at this time. And he also happens to be the head of state of the world’s superpower.” He suggested that if he were in their position, it would be wise not to antagonize their last reliable ally.
Vance further pointed out that Netanyahu seems to be on a different wavelength than some of his ministers. He noted that the U.S. has supplied a significant portion of Israel’s defense resources over recent months, emphasizing that the real issues facing Israel are more complex than merely blaming Trump.
The U.S. and Iran had announced this MOU, but the administration didn’t promptly share the full text. President Trump signed it while attending the G7 meeting in France. In a subsequent call, officials from his administration outlined key parts of the agreement, asserting that it establishes a workable framework for both nations.
According to one official, the MOU mandates that Iran must dismantle its stockpile of enriched uranium to lower levels. This is seen as the minimum requirement, with hopes for further commitments from Iran.
Sanctions relief is contingent upon Iran’s adherence to the nuclear provisions, and this economic benefit would only come through compliance. The administration also noted that earlier sanctions on Iranian oil exports had been ineffective, as Iran continued to sell oil to China at discounted rates. They viewed this deal as necessary to pivot away from those unproductive sanctions.
Vance expressed approval of the MOU, stating that he appreciated the positive comments made by the Pope about it, believing it could be beneficial for global stability as long as it is adequately protected.
A formal signing event is on the agenda for Friday, where Vance and other members of Trump’s negotiating team are expected to be present. Initially, Iran wanted immediate access to its frozen assets, but the agreement requires compliance with the MOU before access is granted.
The design is such that benefits for Iran will only materialize if it meets its obligations.
