US Vice‑President Criticises Netanyahu Over Israel–Iran War Strategy

Sat Jun 13 2026 12:56:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Vice‑President JD Vance says Israeli PM Netanyahu has been "in the wrong" regarding the war against Iran, hinting at a widening rift between Washington and Jerusalem.

Vice‑President J.D. Vance publicly stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "got things wrong" in the course of the Israel‑Iran conflict. He warned that the two allied nations are increasingly out of sync over critical issues, especially Israel’s actions in Lebanon. Vance’s remarks arrive amid escalating clashes between Israel and Iran‑aligned Hezbollah and renewed US‑Iran strikes. This admission of strain could foreshadow a more cautious US stance toward Israel’s regional engagements and influence upcoming elections in both countries.

US Vice‑President Criticises Netanyahu Over Israel–Iran War Strategy

Vice‑President J.D. Vance told CBS News that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “got things wrong” when it comes to handling the ongoing war against Iran, suggesting that Washington’s support for Israel is now strained.

Vance said the two close allies are not always on the same page. He added that the American administration is focused on America’s interests, and that sometimes those diverge from Israel’s priorities—”we have to choose the side of the American people.”

The comment comes after weeks of rising tensions: former President Trump clashed with Netanyahu over Israel’s operations in Lebanon, and US and Iranian forces have exchanged strikes for two consecutive days after a flare‑up in that region.

In a separate interview, Trump reportedly called Netanyahu “effing crazy” and expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The US still hopes to broker a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Iran’s nuclear programme.

Israel’s campaign in southern Lebanon targets Hezbollah fighters, while Iran has retaliated by striking northern Israel. The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting around 3,700 deaths, although Israeli accounts cite far fewer casualties.

The rift between Washington and Jerusalem signals shifting U.S. sentiment about the war—public opinion polls show that many Americans view the Middle East conflict as increasingly unpopular and are less enthusiastic about Israel’s actions. Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces domestic elections next year and must convince voters that he is winning the war against Iran and its allies.

Netanyahu insists any disagreement is a matter of tactical nature, asserting that both sides can work through differences as close allies. Vance’s remarks indicate that those ties may now be harder to maintain.