US Vice President JD Vance has sharply criticised Israeli leaders for their continued opposition to the recent US-Iran agreement, arguing that military action alone cannot solve Israel’s long-term security challenges. His remarks came as several Israeli officials, including members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, intensified their criticism of the deal, claiming it fails to adequately address Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile programme.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Vance questioned Israel’s reliance on military force and urged its leaders to support diplomatic efforts led by Washington. He said, "What is your exact proposal? You're a country of 9 million people. You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have." His comments reflected growing frustration within the White House over Israel’s reaction to the agreement.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran this week aims to end months of tensions, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and create a pathway for broader negotiations in the region. Israeli officials have strongly objected to the agreement. They argue that it does not sufficiently limit Iran’s nuclear programme or its ballistic missile capabilities. Some also believe the deal could restrict Israel’s ability to take military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Speaking during a White House press conference, Vance strongly defended the agreement and highlighted the close relationship between the United States and Israel. He stressed that President Donald Trump remains one of Israel’s strongest supporters on the global stage. Vance stated, "My message to them would be twofold. No. 1: 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."

He further added, "If I were 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." His remarks underscored the administration’s belief that Israeli leaders should be more supportive of Washington’s diplomatic initiatives rather than publicly criticising them.

The agreement has triggered significant debate both in Israel and among pro-Israel groups in Washington. Critics view the deal as a risky concession to Iran, while supporters argue that it offers a chance to reduce tensions and avoid a wider regional conflict.

Responding to concerns raised by Israeli officials, Vance pointed to the long history of American military assistance to Israel. He noted that much of Israel’s defensive capability has been made possible through US support. According to Vance, two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel had been "built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars." The United States currently provides Israel with around $4 billion in military aid each year, and discussions are underway regarding a new defence assistance package.

Vance argued that Israel should focus on its actual security challenges rather than blaming the Trump administration. He said, "The problem for Israel is not Donald J Trump and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation the country is in."

Reports have suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unhappy with the agreement. However, Vance clarified that he had not personally heard any direct criticism from Netanyahu himself. Instead, he focused his criticism on members of Israel’s governing coalition who have publicly attacked the deal.

In his interview with The New York Times, Vance expressed surprise at the intensity of the backlash. He suggested that much of the criticism stemmed from distrust rather than facts. He said, "I find this whole freakout in Israel a little bit odd because I think that it comes from a place of mistrust, and I think that America has earned the trust of that region of the world."

His comments prompted an immediate response from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of the strongest opponents of the agreement. Ben-Gvir defended Israel’s hardline position and wrote on X, "This is the proposal ... to deal with the Nazis of the 21st century, just as the United States dealt with the Nazis of the 20th century."

Vance also criticised recent Israeli military operations in Lebanon. He described heavy Israeli strikes in Beirut as unacceptable and warned that such actions could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. According to Vance, President Trump has often become frustrated when negotiations appear close to success but are followed by incidents that increase regional tensions.

Addressing the issue, Vance said, "Israel has the right to defend itself, but fundamentally the Israelis, just like everybody else, have to respect this peace process that is fundamentally good for them and good for the entire region."

He further explained Trump’s concerns by saying, "What the president gets very frustrated (with) sometimes is that we seem to be right on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the agreement, and then all of a sudden, there's a major explosion that goes off in a civilian population centre in Beirut, and a lot of people who have nothing to do with Hezbollah lose their lives. That's not acceptable. That's the sort of thing that we've asked for closer coordination so that we ensure it doesn't happen."

Vance stressed that the Lebanon-related provisions of the agreement place responsibilities on both Hezbollah and Israel. He maintained that peace could only be achieved if both sides respected their commitments.

Speaking about the issue, he said, "This is about regional peace." He continued, "And what that means is, we expect Hezbollah is not going to be firing rockets and firing drones at the Israelis. But we also expect that the Israelis are not going to be going wild in Lebanon."

Vance added, "Both sides have to honour their end of the deal." At the same time, he acknowledged that ceasefires are rarely perfect and that occasional violations may still occur despite diplomatic efforts.

The debate comes as President Trump continues pushing for a broader regional peace framework built around the Iran agreement. Following Vance’s remarks, Trump urged all parties involved to remain committed to the peace process. Posting on Truth Social, he stated, "We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel."

Despite ongoing criticism from Israeli officials who believe the agreement leaves major security concerns unresolved, the White House continues to present the deal as a historic opportunity. Vance made it clear that the administration expects its allies, including Israel, to support diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving stability and long-term peace across the region rather than working against them.