U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used an interview with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly to defend the Trump administration’s understandings with Iran and to brush off harsh criticism from right-wing American and Israeli commentators. The interview aired overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Vance said critics were echoing “Iranian propaganda” and singled out Israeli broadcaster Yanon Magal, who had called him a “filth” and Donald Trump a “loser” in a post on X. He also mentioned conservative radio host Mark Levin, who has attacked the deal and demanded that its full terms be disclosed and submitted to Congress.
Reacting to the attacks, Vance said, “I wonder why they call it the ‘Vance deal’ and not the ‘Trump deal’.” He argued that his opponents have no realistic alternative and are effectively calling for an endless war. “You want the confrontation to continue until the last bomb is dropped or until the last Iranian dies. That is not what the president of the United States wants,” he said.
Vance said Trump achieved the goals he set at the start of the military campaign, damaging Iran’s nuclear program, reducing its ability to threaten neighboring countries, and preventing a terrorist regime from obtaining nuclear weapons. He added that Trump now wants to move to negotiations and see what else can be gained. Vance also cited the stabilization of energy markets as evidence of success, saying oil prices had returned to relatively low levels after spiking when the conflict began, easing pressure on American consumers. Magal later responded on X: “I am with Rubio.”
