Vice‑President JD Vance said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “has gotten some things wrong”, hinting at a growing rift between Washington and Jerusalem over the war against Iran.
Vance, speaking to the BBC’s US partner on CBS News, added that Netanyahu “aggressively asserts the interests of his country”, which sometimes align with US goals but at other times diverge.
These remarks follow earlier reports that President Trump had laced disagreements with the Israeli leader during a phone call where he called Netanyahu “effing crazy”.
The tension underscores an ongoing dispute over Israeli operations in Lebanon, where the country has been striking Iranian‑backed Hezbollah forces since the war began.
Iran has threatened to skip peace talks over the Lebanese issue, while the US aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
With Israeli elections looming, Netanyahu faces criticism for his handling of the conflict, while the US public increasingly views the Israel‑Iran war as costly.
Netanyahu, for his part, emphasizes that “tactical disagreements” should be worked through, maintaining their friendship with Washington.
