U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Israel must respect the peace process, stating that just as Israel does not forgo self-defense if Hezbollah fires rockets or drones, Iran does not forgo its right to self-defense within its own state. Vance also said the administration will not currently seek congressional approval to lift oil sanctions, asserting the executive branch has the authority to do so. The remarks extend the administration's symmetry argument deeper into the US-Iran nuclear framework.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday extended the administration's symmetry argument regarding the emerging US-Iran nuclear framework, stating that Israel must respect a 'peace process' and that Iran, like Israel, does not forgo its right to self-defense on its own soil.
Israel must respect this peace process, Vance said on Thursday evening, as reported by Israeli media. He drew a direct parallel: 'Israel does not waive its right to self-defense if Hezbollah fires rockets or drones at Israel. The Iranians do not waive their right to self-defense in their state.'
The remarks build on a thread The Zioneer has tracked since Thursday morning: Vance told Fox News earlier that the US expects a final agreement to prevent Iran from developing long-range missiles, and in a CBN interview affirmed Israel's right to self-defense. A senior US official stated on Friday and Monday that no country would waive self-defense rights due to the deal and that Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is not a condition.
In the latest comments, Vance also addressed the sanctions track: 'Currently we will not go to Congress to request approval to lift sanctions in the oil sector. We believe we have the authority to do that,' according to the reports. The question of executive versus congressional authority over sanctions relief has been a point of contention in the administration's Iran diplomacy.
4 developments
- StrongVP Vance reiterates Israel's right to self-defense in CBN interview
- DevelopingVP Vance: Deal does not mandate Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, self-defense right retained
- DevelopingSenior US official: no country will waive self-defense right due to Iran deal
- DevelopingVance declines to deny Israeli espionage claim against US
Source and signal
- Internal intake