19/06/2026
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19/06/2026
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WASHINGTON, Jun 19: US Vice President JD Vance warned Israeli ministers against criticizing the Trump administration’s agreement with Iran, saying Israel should not “attack the only powerful ally” it has left.
Speaking at a White House briefing, Vance said the 60-day ceasefire period with Iran had officially begun following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran. He said the two sides would use the period to negotiate a final agreement covering unresolved issues, including the future of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s missile capabilities.
“The final negotiations can set the terms of what comes afterwards,” Vance said, adding that the US expects Iran’s final commitments to include a guarantee that it will not possess missiles capable of threatening other countries.
Vance also pushed back against criticism from Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have opposed the agreement. He said members of the Israeli government had criticized the deal and personally attacked US President Donald Trump.
“My message to them would be… Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time,” Vance said. “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”
Vance also highlighted US military support for Israel, saying much of the country’s defensive capability had been built with American weapons and funding. He argued that Israel’s main challenge was not the Trump administration but the broader security situation facing the country.
On Lebanon, Vance said Israel would need to respect the peace framework included in the Iran agreement and warned that strikes causing civilian deaths in Beirut were “not acceptable.”
The interim agreement signed by Trump and Iranian leaders leaves several major issues for future negotiations, including contentious security matters. Analysts have expressed doubts over whether Washington and Tehran can reach a comprehensive settlement within the 60-day timeframe.