JD Vance Says Netanyahu Refrained From Public Criticism of Iran Deal Because He Knows the Details

U.S. Vice President JD Vance told The New York Times on Thursday that the gap between Washington and Israel over the Iran agreement should not be overstated, and suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided attacking it publicly because he knows more about its details. Vance said Netanyahu is familiar with “a little more of the details of what’s inside.”

Vance rejected what he called panic in Israel and argued that any lifting of sanctions on Iran would depend on a complete change in Iranian behavior. “Do they really think we will release sanctions on the Iranian system if they are still funding a terrorist organization? The answer is of course no,” he said.

He also sent a sharp message to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, both of whom criticized the deal. Vance asked, “What exactly are you proposing? You are a country of nine million people. You cannot just kill your way out of every national security problem you have.”

Vance added that where the two countries do not align, President Donald Trump is prepared to say the United States will stick to its own interests in those disputed areas.