US Vice President JD Vance warned Israeli officials on Thursday, that President Donald Trump is their "only powerful ally" and criticized them for attacking the administration over a newly signed US-Iran peace deal. During a White House briefing, Vance stated, "If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world," while noting that two-thirds of Israel's recent defensive weapons were funded by US taxpayers.

Vance described the reaction from some Israeli ministers as a "freakout" rooted in mistrust, asserting that Trump is the "only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time."

The vice president's remarks come as Israeli officials criticize the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran that mandates a 60-day ceasefire in Lebanon and requires Iran to "change its behavior" before receiving any economic benefits.

Vance defended the MOU by arguing that Iran receives "nothing" upfront and remains under an "economic chokehold" until it dismantles its nuclear infrastructure and stops missile development. He expressed frustration that Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which killed civilians unrelated to Hezbollah, have repeatedly jeopardized diplomatic breakthroughs, calling such actions "unacceptable" and urging closer coordination with Israel to respect the peace process.

“Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time," Vance told reporters. "If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”

Vance admonished critics, adding, "The problem for Israel is not Donald J. Trump, and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the President of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that the country is in."  He noted that over the last three months, two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel were built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars.

Appearing on Interesting Times with Ross Douthat podcast published Thursday, Vance shifted into salesperson mode to defend the morality and strategic logic of the Trump administration's foreign policy.

Vance threw the gauntlet down to both domestic Republican hawks and Israeli critics: “If you think this is a bad deal, what is your alternative? You can't just kill your way out.”

The vice president insisted that this MoU is fundamentally superior to the 2015 JCPOA (Barack Obama's Iran deal) because it forces immediate behavioral pauses while broader permanent guardrails are hammered out.

When Douthat pressed him on whether his own political future is tied to the success of this deal—especially after Trump joked in France, "If it doesn't work out, I'm blaming JD"—Vance appeared buoyant, framing the deal as a necessary intervention to avoid an American "economic catastrophe" driven by skyrocketing oil prices and inflation.

Following Vance's remarks Thursday, President Trump posted on Truth Social, Thursday, that he expects a "complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel."

“We expect a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold.”

The MoU expects Israel to withdraw military forces from southern Lebanon to give the 60-day regional peace process a chance to work. Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich refuse to compromise on anything less than the complete "dismantling" of Hezbollah.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to prioritize Israel's security, National Security Minister Ben-Gvir publicly rejected the deal, comparing the situation to fighting "Nazis" and insisting Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon.

Trump’s insistence on a complete ceasefire comes amid growing U.S. frustration over civilian casualties in Lebanon and fears that unchecked regional fighting could totally collapse the hard-fought U.S.-Iran MoU.

The president has noted that he signed the deal primarily to prevent inflation and a "Herbert Hoover-style" economic depression at home. The U.S. lifted its naval blockade of Iran, allowing oil tankers to move through the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize global energy markets.

While Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued statements claiming Iran will not submit to "excessive demands" and viewed Trump's deal as born "out of desperation," the U.S. administration is holding firm.

Vance has reportedly postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for U.S.-Iran talks expected to begin Friday, citijng liogistics. According to a statement from his office, "As the Vice President said in his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks with Iran have not yet been finalized, and the American delegation was ready to depart at the first opportunity. But the logistics of the negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the Vice President is not leaving tonight. We will notify you the moment we have a concrete update regarding the next steps. We expect to begin the technical talks as soon as possible."

However Iranian media reported that the meeting with the Iranian delegation is postponed until there's a ceasefire in Lebanon. Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants.

Heavy clashes continue between Hezbollah and Israeli troops early morning Friday, on the Kfar Tibnit and Ali Taher hill axis. Hezbollah rockets toward Kfar Tibnit and destroyed an Israeli military vehicle with unconfirmed reports of casualties after roadside bomb and anti-tank missile attacks by the militants. Three military helicopters were seen over Yahmar al-Shaqif, reportedly evacuating wounded soldiers. Israeli warplanes carried out several strikes around Nabatieh, with reports of a strike inside the city.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire, saying Hezbollah will abide by it as long as Israel does the same. On the ground, however, the ceasefire appears far from holding.

Ukraine on Thursday, launched its largest drone offensive on Moscow since the start of the full-scale war, striking the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district for the second time in a week, leaving parts of the capital blanketed in heavy black smoke.

Russian authorities reported that air defenses intercepted 194 drones approaching the capital and 555 nationwide, but multiple kamikaze drones breached defenses, causing five fires and an explosion that blew the roof off a fuel tank at the facility, which supplies approximately 40% of Moscow’s fuel and jet fuel to all major regional airports.

The attack resulted in 17 injuries, including two children, and caused significant disruptions, with 527 flights canceled or delayed at Moscow’s airports and sooty "oil rain" reported by residents.

Simultaneously, a separate Ukrainian drone operation successfully targeted and ignited a major fuel storage depot in Gukovo, located in Russia's Rostov Oblast near the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strike as a "justified response" to recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, including damage to the UNESCO-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, and stated, "If Ukraine is engulfed in flames, so will your Moscow be," calling for an immediate end to the war.

"It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy... Moscow will burn if Russian attacks continue," Zelensky said.

The attack occurred precisely as Zelensky was returning from the G7 Summit in France, following critical coordination calls with Western leaders, including a unified push for expanded defense commitments.

Intelligence assessments from the week of the strike suggest a deeper structural issue for the Kremlin: Russia is facing localized shortages of short-range interceptor missiles. Because Ukraine has successfully scaled up the domestic production of low-cost, long-range drones, they are able to launch massive swarms that effectively oversaturate and exhaust expensive Russian air defense arrays—allowing trailing drones to slip through to high-value targets.

Russia fired back with 239 drones and seven missiles against Ukrainian targets in the Kyiv and Poltava regions, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatened further mass strikes against Ukrainian military targets.

By taking the war directly to Russia's refining capacity, Ukraine has increasingly choked military supply lines and induced civilian fuel shortages in occupied territories like Crimea, forcing ordinary Russian citizens to experience the direct economic consequences of the ongoing conflict.

The Moscow Oil Refinery is not just a symbolic target; it is a vital economic asset operated by Gazprom Neft. It processes roughly 11 million tons of crude oil annually, supplying over a third of all gasoline and half of the diesel fuel consumed across the massive Moscow metropolitan region.

Crucially, the refinery had already been hit days earlier on June 16, which damaged its primary ELOU-AVT-6 crude processing unit and forced a temporary halt in operations. Thursday’s massive wave aimed to decisively compound that damage.

President Donald Trump personally signed the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, during a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, confirming the deal's immediate effect and canceling a planned formal ceremony in Switzerland.

The dinner was held, after the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence. As Trump left the former palace of French kings, he cupped his hands and shouted to reporters: "It's signed, yeah. I signed it in Versailles."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed the document digitally, finalizing an interim agreement designed to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and initiate a 60-day negotiation period regarding Iran's nuclear program.

The following is the MOU as released bu US officials. 

The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have jointly agreed in good faith on [ __ date] on the following:

1. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war are signing this MOU to declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph.

2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days, extendable with mutual consent.

4. Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.

5. Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.

6. The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.

7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned, and expressed their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down blended on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above missions. They express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

9. Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.

10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU and until the termination of sanctions, US Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.

11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during negotiations. Such funds, whether obtaining the original account or transfer, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designed by the Central Bank, excuse me, ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.

12. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal.

13. After signing this MOU, and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.

14. The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.

The agreement, formally known as the Islamabad MOU, was quietly brokered behind the scenes over several weeks by Pakistani and Qatari negotiators.

The text was finalized days prior but held back at Iran's request. While Vice President JD Vance earlier confirmed a formal diplomatic signing ceremony to be hosted by Pakistan and Qatar in Geneva on Friday, Trump's sudden signature at Versailles effectively binds the executive branch to the ceasefire immediately.

A major focus of upcoming negotiations within the next 60 days, will be establishing robust verification mechanisms for Iran's nuclear commitments, a point emphasized by G7 leaders who welcomed the deal but urged a comprehensive follow-on agreement.

Trump Defends US-Iran Peace Deal, Iran's Ballistic Missiles And Civilian Nuclear Program

As the President spoke at a press conference after the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains prior to signing the MOU, senior U.S. officials briefed the press, reading the 14 points of the memorandum aloud. The interim deal aims to halt the 110-day U.S.-Israel–Iran conflict that disrupted global markets.

During the marathon press conference alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump fiercely defended the agreement against escalating criticism from domestic hardliners and regional allies like Israel.

Trump defended the agreement as a necessary measure to avert a "worldwide depression" and economic catastrophe caused by prolonged conflict and closed oil routes. He characterized the MOU as a preliminary step rather than a final settlement, explicitly reserving the right to resume military attacks if Iran fails to comply with terms within the 60-day window, stating, "If they don't behave, we'll go right back to dropping bombs."

"It’s not final," Trump said. "It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head... If it doesn't get done in 60 days, that's all right. We go back to bombing. I don't want to do that, because it's so good, but we might have to, because we're never going to let them have a nuclear weapon."

The President clarified that the referenced $300 billion reconstruction plan involves no direct U.S. funding, but rather facilitates the release of frozen Iranian assets and encourages private investment contingent on Tehran's adherence to the deal.

The agreement marks a shift from maximalist demands, accepting Iran's conventional missile capabilities in exchange for verifiable nuclear restrictions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to toll-free commercial traffic.

When asked about Iran's ballistic missiles Trump defended allowing Iran to retain them, arguing they are necessary for regional balance since neighbors like Saudi Arabia possess them, saying, "Missiles are not the problem. They hurt a little location but they don't blow up the planet... If other countries have them, it’s a little bit unfair for them not to have some. If Saudi Arabia and Qatar... they all have some, I would say, in relative proportion, I think it’s okay."

 Zionists and Israeli officials have been demanding restrictions be imposed on Iranian missile production, a demand critics call delusional and unrealistic since Iran is a sovereign nation of about 95 million people.

The President rebuked Israel's military actions in Lebanon, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for excessive force, "you do not have to knock down buildings in Beirut," he said, insisting the deal requires an immediate termination of hostilities in Lebanon involving Hezbollah.

Critics slammed the decision to grant oil waivers and unfreeze billions in Iranian assets. Speaking at the press conference, Trump countered with a pragmatic economic defense: "We have taken their money, it's their money. If we didn't give it back, nobody would ever invest in the dollar again... We have sanctions that will never let them rebuild [if they violate this]. There would be poverty."

Observers are now watching to see how Israel reacts to the US-Iran deal, as officials declare the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from Lebanon as demaded by Trump and Iran.