Key facts
- Vice President Vance defended President Trump's preliminary agreement with Iran, calling criticisms 'fundamentally untrue'.
- Vance warned Israeli officials against attacking President Trump, referring to the U.S. as Israel's 'only powerful ally'.
- The 60-day negotiation clock for the Iran deal began Thursday.
- Vance downplayed the significance of oil sanctions relief in the agreement.
- Criticisms of the deal from Republicans, including Senators Ted Cruz and Roger Wicker, were addressed by Vance.
Vice President Vance defended President Donald Trump's preliminary agreement with Iran, pushing back against criticism from both Republican lawmakers and Israeli officials. At a White House press briefing, Vance stated that many criticisms of the deal were 'fundamentally untrue' and urged critics to have faith in President Trump's approach.
Vance specifically addressed concerns raised by Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Roger Wicker, characterizing their arguments as misinformed. He emphasized that the agreement is a memorandum of understanding focused on rewarding good conduct and punishing bad conduct, asserting that Trump would not strike a deal detrimental to the American people.
Addressing reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dissatisfaction, Vance warned Israeli officials against attacking Trump, labeling the U.S. as Israel's 'only powerful ally.' He highlighted that American hands and tax dollars had provided two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel in recent months.
Vance also downplayed the significance of the waiving of oil sanctions, stating that Iran was already selling substantial amounts of oil and that the lifting of sanctions provides the U.S. with better insight into Iran's financial system. The 60-day negotiation period for the deal commenced on Thursday, following the signing of the MOU by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.
Vance dismissed concerns about becoming a 'fall guy' if the deal failed, attributing Trump's earlier remarks to joking. He has become the administration's primary spokesperson for the Iran deal, leading negotiations and participating in numerous media interviews.