VP JD Vance says a U.S. peace deal with Iran could be reached within a week, aiming to permanently end its nuclear program. This comes amid a public divergence with Israel, which opposes the deal's scope. Tensions are high after the U.S. struck Iran for downing a helicopter and Israel conducted its own strikes, while reports suggest Israel has been spying on U.S. negotiators.
US-Israel policy divergence
- ▪Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that U.S. and Israeli interests "diverge" on some issues in the Middle East
- ▪Israel opposes the U.S. excluding Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for terrorist proxies from the negotiations
- ▪The Trump administration believes the potential deal is in the best interest of the U.S., regardless of Israel's position
Iran nuclear deal negotiations
- ▪The goal of the U.S. policy is a long-term settlement to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon
- ▪Vance said a deal could happen within a week or in several months, but "absolutely" before the November 2026 midterm elections
- ▪President Donald Trump suggested a deal with Iran was possible in "two or three days."
- ▪Vice President JD Vance stated the U.S. is "very close" to reaching a peace deal with Iran
Israeli surveillance of US officials
- ▪Recent U.S. intelligence reports raised concerns about Israeli spy agencies eavesdropping on American negotiators working on the Iran deal
- ▪The Pentagon has consequently raised Israel to be a top counterintelligence threat to the U.S.
Trump-Netanyahu tensions
- ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied President Trump's directives by launching strikes in Beirut and retaliatory attacks against Iran
- ▪President Trump confirmed calling Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu "f---ing crazy" in a phone call regarding Israel's military operations in Lebanon
Iran ceasefire developments
- ▪The U.S.-Israel war against Iran began in February 2026, leading to retaliatory strikes, a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and soaring energy costs
- ▪On June 9, 2026, U.S. forces launched "self-defense strikes" against Iran after an American Apache helicopter was downed near the Strait of Hormuz
Nuclear inspections regime requirements
- ▪U.S. demands for a deal include "severe and long-term limitations" on Iran's nuclear program and a robust inspections regime
- ▪If a deal is reached, President Trump said the U.S. would help destroy Iran's uranium stockpile; if not, he threatened military action
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