Published 00.02
JD Vance goes for an unusually harsh attack on Israel.
He warns the country against criticizing its only ally.
– Everyone in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the US president needs to wake up and face reality, he says.
The White House describes the agreement with Iran as a great victory.
But in Israel are many dissatisfied with the 14 points on peace and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz – including several politicians in Netanyahu’s government.
The critics believe that the agreement gives Iran economic relief while the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program – which many see as the biggest security threat – are postponed, writes New York Times.
Now goes USAs vice president JD Vance to fierce attack and defend the agreement.
“Wouldn’t attack…”
“If I were in the Israeli government cabinet, I might not attack the only powerful ally I have left in the entire world,” Vance said today at a press briefing at the White House.
Israel’s leaders must “wake up and face reality,” he continued.
– Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who sympathizes with the nation of Israel at this moment.
He also added that “two-thirds” of the weapons that have defended Israel in the past three months have been paid for by American taxpayers.
Iran: Then the agreement is broken
According to the agreement, Israel must immediately cease hostilities in Lebanon – and Iran already said on Thursday night that it will see it as a violation of the agreement if Israel continues to attack Lebanon.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says at the same time that the country’s military will remain in its “security zone” in southern Lebanon as long as necessary, writes the Times of Israel.
Despite repeated criticism from Trump, Israel carried out new attacks in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Hezbollah has also carried out counterattacks, the BBC writes.
Blockade lifted
On Thursday, JD Vance also confirmed that the US has lifted its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Now the sea route to and from Iranian ports will be free.
Going forward, Iran and the US will conclude a more detailed agreement on the strait.
– We believe that international sea routes should be free of customs duties, says Vance.
But Iran, in turn, states that it has established an authority to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – and that in 60 days it will begin charging a fee for passing ships, reports CNN.
Iran’s Supreme Leader: Desperation
At the same time, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has made a first comment on the agreement.
He believes that Trump concluded the agreement “in desperation”.
– Responsible officials. . . has made extensive efforts – and of course it was the American president who, in desperation, used all kinds of pressure to make this happen, he says in a statement according to TT.
