U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance responded on Tuesday to criticism of the agreement with Iran, including remarks from Israeli journalist Yinon Magal, identified in the interview as close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as from Israel’s ambassador to the United States and American commentator Mark Levin. Vance said the deal’s opponents were not presenting a real alternative and argued that the administration followed the rules throughout the process.
Vance said Congress did not need to approve the agreement because this was not, in his view, a “large-scale war” in the usual or legal sense. He said it was ironic that critics supported the start of the confrontation but were now upset by how it ended. He also accused them of accepting Iran’s framing only when it came to the peace agreement. “If you are adopting Iranian propaganda only when it relates to this peace deal, maybe you should look at yourselves and question your sources,” he said.
He added that the alternative being offered was “endless conflict.” According to Vance, some opponents wanted the fighting to continue “until every bomb is dropped or until every Iranian dies,” but that is not President Donald Trump’s position. He said Trump’s goal was to end Iran’s nuclear program, prevent Tehran from threatening its neighbors, and ensure that future children would not have to face a “terrorist regime with a nuclear bomb.” Vance said Trump believes that objective has been achieved and that talks can now move on to other issues.
Vance also linked the deal to oil prices, saying lower energy prices would mean cheaper fuel and lower energy costs for Americans. “After a temporary rise in energy prices, the situation is returning to normal,” he said. He ended by saying that those who advocate continued bombing without a clear target or a clear American interest are not making wise decisions on behalf of the American people, while Trump is.
