US VP says Netanyahu has 'certainly gotten some things wrong'

US Vice President JD Vance said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "certainly gotten some things wrong" in his management of relations with Washington, though he declined to specify the disagreements and suggested such matters were "better left in private." The comments came in an excerpt of an interview with CBS released Wednesday and scheduled to air in full on Sunday.

Reported White House friction

Vance's remarks followed a report by the Israeli newspaper Maariv that President Donald Trump berated Netanyahu during a phone call earlier this month. The US leader reportedly called him an "ungrateful bastard" over rising tensions in Lebanon and accusations that the Israeli leader was undermining delicate negotiations with Iran.

The vice president did not confirm the specific details of the reported conversation when asked about the alleged exchange, but acknowledged that Netanyahu "aggressively asserts the interests of his country" in dealings with foreign powers. These interests sometimes align with those of the United States and sometimes do not, Vance added, reflecting the complex nature of the alliance.

Pursuing American interests

"Our job as an administration, and certainly what the president has done, has been very clear about what is in our best interest," Vance told CBS. He added that Washington would continue to pursue American interests when they diverge from those of Israel, emphasizing that the White House must remain focused on what benefits the United States.

The region has remained on edge since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran in late February, prompting Iranian retaliation against Israel and other countries hosting US military assets. A temporary ceasefire took effect on April 8, though subsequent negotiations have stalled amid disagreements over implementation and broader regional developments.