JD Vance presses Trump to negotiate an end to Iran war, privately accuses Netanyahu of getting everything wrong
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has been urging President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the war with Iran, privately accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being wrong about the conflict and warning that the deeply unpopular military campaign could damage Republicans politically, according to Axios.
The report, published Thursday, November 5, cited sources familiar with internal White House discussions who said Vance had led a group of senior advisers advocating a diplomatic settlement rather than renewed military strikes.
Vance privately accused Netanyahu of “being wrong on everything” regarding Iran, the sources said. He had also warned that public opposition to the war could cost Republicans the midterm elections.
Most of Trump's senior advisers reportedly shared Vance's position, but the president continued considering another round of military operations. At one point, Trump weighed launching additional strikes before the November 3 elections, as Netanyahu was urging him to do.
Trump ultimately postponed a decision, although he endorsed Netanyahu in Israel's parliamentary election despite objections from senior advisers.
The disagreements have become more pronounced following Republican defeats in the midterms, which Vance publicly attributed to the Iran war and its political consequences.
“The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote Wednesday, arguing that Republicans could not seriously discuss their next steps without acknowledging the conflict's electoral impact.
Trump subsequently acknowledged that Vance's assessment was largely accurate, citing higher gasoline prices, but defended his decision to attack Iran as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is completing preparations for the possible resumption of major combat operations, including deploying additional military assets to the Middle East.
Qatari mediators are also seeking American and Iranian approval for a draft agreement intended to prevent renewed fighting and potentially restart direct negotiations within days.
Other senior officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, favor maintaining Washington's naval blockade and economic sanctions while allowing more time for diplomatic efforts.
Trump has not announced a decision to resume military strikes or accept a negotiated settlement, leaving the administration divided over the next stage of its confrontation with Tehran.