VP JD Vance Says Iran Deal Could Come Within Week, Acknowledges US-Israel Divergence on Middle East Policy

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.

4 sources