Vance says Netanyahu 'has got some things wrong'

US Vice-President JD Vance has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has 'certainly gotten some things wrong', reflecting growing tension between the two allies in the conflict against Iran. In an interview with CBS News, Vance declined to provide specific examples but said Netanyahu 'aggressively asserts the interests of his country', which are not always aligned with those of the United States.

Relations between Washington and Tel Aviv have become strained in recent weeks. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump clashed with the Israeli leader over military action in Lebanon, which sparked renewed strikes and jeopardized peace talks with Tehran. The US and Iran exchanged strikes for a second consecutive night, further straining the ceasefire that had been in place since April.

Vance emphasized that the Trump administration's role is to focus on American interests, stating, 'where that diverges, we - unfortunately for the Israelis - have to choose the side of the American people.' He declined to give examples of Netanyahu's mistakes, saying such conversations are 'sometimes better left in private'.

Since the Iran war began, Israel has conducted strikes across Lebanon and occupied a significant portion of southern Lebanon to counter Hezbollah fighters. According to Lebanon's health ministry, at least 3,696 people have been killed in the conflict, while Israeli authorities report 30 soldiers and four civilians killed on both sides of the border.

Netanyahu, who faces elections this year in Israel, has sought to downplay the rift. Last week, he told CNBC: 'Sometimes we have, as in the best of families, you have these tactical disagreements. We always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends.'