U.S. Vice President JD Vance had a very tough job last week responding to blistering criticism of the Trump Administration’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for starting negotiations with Iran. Lamentably, Vance’s performance in Geneva failed the task and actually inflamed a bad situation.

Israel complained forcefully, since it played no part in crafting the MOU, which implied it was expected to stand down in Lebanon, even if terror group Hezbollah continued attacking Israeli territory and the IDF. The MOU specifically calls for “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

When Israel harshly retaliated after Hezbollah killed four IDF soldiers, Iran indignantly threatened to pull out of negotiations, claiming Israel’s response “violated” the MOU’s stipulations. Never mind that Hezbollah has consistently violated one ceasefire after another.

Vance’s strategy for deflecting the criticism was all too familiar when politicians (and media) search for a solution to the world’s problems: Blame Israel. Indeed, the Vice President slanderously accused the Jewish state of trying to solve all its problems with deadly military force.

The first problem with the MOU was tying it to the Lebanon conflict—a gift to Iran and Hezbollah and a slap in the face to stalwart U.S. ally Israel. The Trump Administration even refused to allow Israel to view the text of the MOU before it was revealed to the public.

Second, the MOU placed restrictions on “U.S. allies” (i.e., Israel) without their consent. Thus, Israel’s controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was within his rights to say “Trump’s agreement doesn’t bind us.”

Third, Vance responded immaturely by a) defaming Israel for its public and military responses to the Administration’s ill-crafted MOU and b) treating Iran as a friendly negotiating partner instead of as the world’s most obnoxious and dangerous bully. Indeed, Iranian negotiators showed nothing but disrespect to the U.S. team, as Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi refused to shake the Vice President’s hand.

For Vance and other members of the Trump Administration to bad-mouth America’s most loyal ally in last year’s campaign to pacify the murderous mullahs is both bad strategy and a bad look.

How Vance blew it, defending a weak agreement weakly. While the MOU is intended to mollify skittish energy markets and get Trump through the treacherous U.S. midterm elections by opening the Strait of Hormuz, it was widely criticized. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), for instance, criticized it for providing billions of dollars to Iran, while Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote on X that “Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed.”

Additionally, the MOU fails to address original U.S. war goals, which included eliminating Iran’s ballistic missile program and preventing Iran from sponsoring terrorist groups in the region. Worse still, Vance defended Iran’s missile program, ridiculously implying that belligerent Iran needs ballistic missiles for self-defense. He also supported the MOU’s linkage to Iran’s terror proxy interests in Lebanon—Hezbollah—thus expanding, rather than quashing Iran’s imperialist ambitions.

Israel rightfully criticized the MOU for the Lebanon misstep, as it was never party to the MOU and never saw it before publication. Meanwhile, even as the U.S. sponsors Israel-Lebanon ceasefire talks in Washington, DC, Hezbollah continues attacking Israel and the IDF.

Instead of criticizing Iran, Vance chastised Israel. Angered by Israeli criticism and “violation” of the MOU, Vance unleashed lies, half-truths and disdain toward the Jewish state. For example, he told Israel, “You can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have.” This is libelous, as Israel has always pursued peace rather than war and always sought to minimize civilian casualties. More to the point, Vance neglected to condemn Iran, Hezbollah’s master, for repeated ceasefire violations in Lebanon.

Adding a further insult, Vance snidely quipped that “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.” First, Israeli officials never attacked their U.S. ally, they simply attacked the flawed MOU. Second, Vance would do well to take his own advice: Stop attacking the U.S.’s most loyal ally, which is also the Middle East’s most powerful nation.

Ironically, while trashing Israel, Vance also represented Iran as a reasonable partner for peace. Iran replied to this praise with contempt. When U.S. and Iranian delegations met in Geneva, Switzerland, the Iranians showed up late and snubbed a joint photo-op and welcoming handshake.

The MOU: A delaying tactic that favors Iran and endangers Israel. Though Vance defended the MOU, claiming that recalcitrant Iran is ready to join “the international community,” that hope is patently futile. Iran is motivated single-mindedly by its divine mission to conquer infidels and spread Shiite Islamism.

For this reason, while the MOU is likely to give Iran some initial financial respite from crushing sanctions, Iran is unlikely to agree to Trump’s demands, even if negotiations are extended over the coming 60 days for another 120 days. The Administration’s best chances are to hold oil prices steady and prevail successfully through November’s midterm elections, whereupon Trump can restart military actions against Iran.

Meanwhile, the danger remains that if Iran holds sway, Israel will be forced by the U.S. to suffer continued assaults on its people, territory and military without the right to respond—though it’s unlikely that Israel will abide by restrictions on its right to respond defensively.

Why it pays Team Trump to respect its allies over its enemies. Notwithstanding pressures on the administration from the midterm elections and global energy markets, Trump and Vance would present a stronger, more powerful image by holding Iran’s feet to the fire regarding the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear disarmament, ballistic missile proliferation and its support of terror proxies. Likewise, they would benefit equally from whole-hearted support of Israel and other Gulf allies.

Please make the point when speaking with family, friends, colleagues—or in letters to the editor—that for a successful outcome with Iran, President Trump must realize that the Islamic Republic has a single overriding motivation—which is to overthrow Western civilization, starting with the Little Satan (Israel) and finishing with the Great Satan (the U.S.).

If you agree we need to spread this truth, please use your email browser to forward this Hotline issue to fellow lovers of Israel—and encourage them to join us by subscribing to the Hotline at no charge.

Best regards,
James Sinkinson, President
Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)

P.S.      As you know, we at FLAME are constantly fighting to defeat our enemies’ slanders against Israel. But I hope you agree that it’s just as important for us lovers of Israel to spread the word about the amazing triumphs of Zionism. I believe that in addition to defending Israel from media and politicians’ lies, we need also to help the world understand Israel’s righteous cause and its power for good—we need as well to trumpet Israel’s miraculous achievements. God knows, Americans will never learn about Israel’s good deeds in mainstream media, like the New York Times, CNN or NPR! I believe we need to stand tall because of who the Jewish people are . . . be proud of what Israel does for the world. For this reason, I hope you’ll approve of FLAME’s new hasbarah—our explanatory message called “How Zionism’s Miracle Benefits Us All.” With your agreement and support, FLAME will soon begin running this message as a paid editorial ad in major mainstream newspapers nationwide. This ad tells the truth about Zionism’s unmatched power to create economic prosperity, global security, world health and democratic freedoms. It also explains why the enemies of Zionism are not just foes of Israel, they are also the enemies of human progress. Please review this convincing, fact-based editorial, which FLAME is about to publish to millions—in leading social media, as well as in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronicle, Denver Post and Los Angeles Times. This piece will also be sent to all members of Congress, the President and Vice President. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel’s behalf is critical, I urge you to support us with a donation.