American Vice President JD Vance is trying to convince skeptical party members of the benefits of the agreement with Tehran. This is difficult for him.
June 17, 2026, 05:27June 17, 2026, 05:27
Renzo Ruf, Washington
The American president has not yet published the wording of the framework agreement that is intended to end the Iran war. This should only happen in the “next few days,” Donald Trump announced on Tuesday in Evian, France, where he is taking part in the G7 summit.
In Washington, however, there is already criticism of the deal – primarily from the president’s traditional allies.
In numerous media appearances, JD Vance is trying to sell the Iran framework agreement as a success.Image: keystone
Columnist calls the agreement “a disaster”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: “I am skeptical” that the sticking points in the peace negotiations could really be resolved in the next 60 days. Columnist Marc Thiessen, who has a good connection to Trump, called the agreement “a complete disaster” in his initial reaction. He was referring to leaked information that American allies in the Arab region would support the reconstruction of Iran with $300 billion.
“That makes absolutely no sense,” echoed Jack Keane, a retired four-star general who explains world events on Trump’s favorite channel, Fox News.
These assessments may be based on incorrect information, as the White House immediately asserted. But as long as the agreement is not published, speculation will continue. Trump appears to have tasked his deputy, JD Vance, with selling the interim peace deal to the American people.
Since Monday morning, the Vice President has been rushing from media interview to media interview. So far, however, the 41-year-old has not managed to calm the angry minds. This may be due to the fact that the 1.5-page memorandum of understanding appears to ignore the burning problems in bilateral relations between the USA and Iran.
The open questions also concern the nuclear program. For now, the regime in Tehran did not have to make a written promise not to enrich uranium in the future, as Vance said. Tehran also appears to have refused to allow inspectors into the country. “That’s something we still have to negotiate,” Vance said.
Secretary of State Rubio was against the deal
Such statements will not convince the skeptics. Long-time Iran observers say that the regime in Tehran just wants to gain time after the end of the war to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure. Such voices can also be heard in the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are said to have advised Trump against making a deal with Iran, the news portal Axios reported. Because Iran has no intention of keeping the promises it made.
But Trump sided with Vance. In contrast to Rubio, the vice president is a critic of foreign military operations. This is a small triumph for the vice president, as Vance had recently lost influence in the president’s circle. Now the big test awaits Trump’s possible successor with the Iran dossier. (schweiztoday.ch)