U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance has delivered unusually sharp criticism of Israel, arguing that a country cannot guarantee its security indefinitely through military force and the continual loss of civilian lives.
Vance made the remarks while defending a new memorandum of understanding signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which aims to end months of regional conflict and reduce tensions across the Middle East.
His comments came amid growing criticism from hardline Israeli politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have publicly condemned Washington’s decision to pursue an agreement with Tehran.
Responding to those criticisms, Vance said that for a nation of roughly nine million people, military action cannot be the answer to every security challenge.
“Killing people is not a solution to every security problem,” he said, arguing that long-term stability requires political solutions rather than constant warfare.
The agreement has reportedly exposed divisions within the coalition government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir described the deal as a “humiliating failure” and warned that he could withdraw support from the governing coalition if its terms are implemented.
Vance pushed back against Israeli criticism of Washington, saying that leaders who depend heavily on American financial and military assistance should not attempt to dictate U.S. foreign policy decisions. He also argued that relying solely on force against hundreds of millions of Arabs and Muslims across the region would never produce lasting peace or security.
Trump has likewise expressed concern about civilian casualties resulting from Israeli military operations in Lebanon. According to his remarks, targeting individual members of Hezbollah does not justify the destruction of entire residential apartment blocks where ordinary civilians live.
Under the newly announced U.S.-Iran agreement, the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened, ending a period of disruption to shipping routes. The arrangement also includes the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade around Iranian ports and a broader regional ceasefire that extends to conflict zones including Lebanon.
The deal reportedly provides temporary sanctions relief for Iran’s oil industry and establishes a $300 billion reconstruction fund intended to rebuild areas damaged by conflict throughout the region.
According to details of the agreement, Iran has agreed to cap uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent and restore full access for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. In return, the United States is expected to ease restrictions on Iranian banking institutions and facilitate Iran’s return to the global financial system, including access to the SWIFT international payment network.
Vance described the arrangement as a major diplomatic achievement rather than a concession. He argued that the agreement was made possible by a combination of American military pressure and economic leverage, claiming that Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities had already suffered significant setbacks during the conflict.
The White House has presented the accord as a diplomatic breakthrough designed to reduce regional tensions, prevent further economic disruption, and create a framework for long-term stability in the Middle East.
