US Vice President J.D. Vance Denies Clash With Netanyahu, Describes Candid Washington Talk

US Vice President J.D. Vance denied reports of a confrontation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting in Washington last week. In an interview with Fox News, Vance dismissed a headline from Axios describing an "altercation," saying instead that their discussion was "pleasant and candid." The meeting took place shortly after Vance criticized Israel for allegedly funding an online campaign opposing his efforts to mediate an end to the conflict with Iran.

An Israeli official briefing journalists in Washington described the meeting as "good" and "honest," while a senior White House source called it a "warm conversation" focused on key Middle East issues important to both countries. Vance emphasized that although he views Israel as a great partner, their national interests do not always align. He stated, "My role is to serve the interests of no country other than the United States," and characterized the exchange as a "pleasant but direct conversation" without any sense of confrontation.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump expressed a preference for reaching an agreement with Iran, citing a desire to avoid killing people. Trump said, "We're talking with the Iranians, and we'll see what happens," while reaffirming that Tehran cannot possess nuclear weapons. Vance echoed Trump's stance, asserting that US policy on Iran has strengthened and that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear arms. He described the Iranian regime as divided between factions pushing for war and those seeking to end it, and noted that negotiations with Iran will take time.