Vance faults Netanyahu as Iran war strains administration

Vance presses for negotiations

Vice President JD Vance privately accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being “wrong on everything” about the Iran war, Axios reported, as described by Fox News.

Vance has led a group of senior administration officials urging President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Netanyahu had urged Trump to resume strikes against Iran before the midterms.

Disagreement carries political implications

Natan Sachs, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said Vance’s disagreement with Netanyahu creates political distance from the Trump administration without requiring Vance to criticize Trump directly. The dispute comes amid questions about a possible Vance presidential campaign in 2028, though no campaign is identified.

Sachs said the central disagreement concerns the prospect of removing Iran’s government. Netanyahu presented Trump with a plan for regime change, while Vance opposed that direction. Sachs also said some Israeli opposition leaders doubt that an air campaign could produce regime change and believe it could instead strengthen Iran’s government.

Vance previously declined to endorse Netanyahu’s re-election campaign. He also criticized Israeli government officials who opposed Trump’s effort to end the war. Israel’s election could determine whether Vance continues dealing with Netanyahu or begins working with a different Israeli leader.