Netanyahu rejects Vance criticism over U.S.-Iran Iran deal, says Israel has ‘many, many friends’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back on Vice President JD Vance’s warnings to Israeli officials over public criticism of a U.S.-Iran framework, saying Israel has “many, many friends,” and rejecting the notion that Washington is the only major partner Israel can count on. Netanyahu made the remarks in an interview on Fox News Sunday that was prompted by questions about Vance’s comments last month.

Vance’s remarks, as reported by The Hill, came after an Axios report described a dispute in Jerusalem over the U.S. Iran arrangement. During a White House briefing, Vance was asked about that report and said that if he were in the Israeli cabinet, he “might not be attacking the only powerful ally” Israel has left in the world, according to The Hill’s account.

Netanyahu, asked about Vance’s characterization, said he respects the vice president but does not agree with everything he says. In the interview, Netanyahu said “Donald Trump is a great friend, the greatest friend we’ve ever had in the White House,” and added that Israel also has other partners, including India, which he described as having “tremendous support.” He also said he was “flooded by the overwhelming support” and referred to “many others” without naming them in the segment described by the outlet.

The dispute follows the White House’s announcement that President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance had “secured a historic breakthrough” and signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran. In a June 19 White House release, the administration said the arrangement was intended to ensure Iran “will never obtain a nuclear weapon” and to address navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, among other stated objectives.

The Hill also reported that Israeli ministers had criticized the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, and that Netanyahu’s response was aimed at characterizing the relationship with Washington as ongoing even amid disagreements over specific aspects of the arrangement. The Times of Israel and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency also reported Netanyahu’s broader response to Vance’s “only powerful ally” framing, including his denial that there was a rift with the Trump administration over the Iran framework.

While Netanyahu emphasized that he and President Trump share “the same goal” of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the immediate political episode is centered on how Israeli officials discuss the U.S. approach publicly. With Vance’s comments and Netanyahu’s rebuttal now both on record in the public domain, Israeli-U.S. coordination on messaging and implementation expectations appears to be the focus of further exchanges.

In the near term, the practical effect will depend on how both governments handle future consultations and public statements around the memorandum’s milestones, as well as whether additional Israeli cabinet or coalition figures press for changes to the terms or the public posture toward the U.S. approach.