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US Vice President

JD Vance says US foreign policy cannot follow Israel’s lead

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JD Vance

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance said the United States cannot allow its Middle East foreign policy to become “subservient” to Israel and should prioritize American interests.

Speaking at a conference organized by the All-In Podcast, Vance described Israel as an important U.S. partner in military technology and intelligence sharing but said Washington does not always agree with the Israeli government.

Vance said President Donald Trump had shown a willingness to disagree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when U.S. and Israeli interests differed.

He compared the relationship with Israel to Washington’s partnerships with NATO members, saying that maintaining important alliances does not mean making U.S. foreign policy subordinate to those partners.

“We’re gonna work with people when we work with them, we’re gonna disagree when we disagree. And we’re gonna pursue America’s interests,” Vance said.

US ambassador says Trump-Netanyahu ties remain strong

Separately, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Trump and Netanyahu continue to have a strong relationship.

In an interview with Israeli media, Huckabee said the United States and Israel cooperate closely and rejected the suggestion that Washington’s involvement in the conflict with Iran was solely aimed at defending Israel. He said the United States was acting in its own interests.

Huckabee’s comments came as Vance emphasized that Washington would cooperate with Israel where interests align but would pursue an independent foreign policy when the two countries disagree.

US, Iran sign memorandum of understanding, says Vice President Vance

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US

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: US Vice President J.D. Vance said that the United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding, marking a significant step toward easing tensions between the longtime adversaries.

According to Vance, he and President Donald Trump signed the document on behalf of the United States, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf signed on behalf of Iran.

The announcement came after reports by The Wall Street Journal that Washington had agreed to a deal with Tehran and that President Trump would soon make a formal statement.

Trump later declared that the agreement with Iran had been completed, adding that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports had been lifted and calling on global shipping operators to resume commercial activities and oil transportation.

In an interview with The New York Times, Trump also warned that the United States would take military action again if Iran failed to reach a final nuclear agreement.

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the U.S. naval blockade would end overnight and that the text of the memorandum would be released after the signing. He said Iran would begin implementing the agreement on Friday.

Gharibabadi stressed that the memorandum does not mean Iran trusts its adversaries, adding that negotiations on a final agreement are expected to continue over the next 60 days. He warned that Tehran would respond if the terms of the agreement were not honored.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the agreement does not mean that Iran will forgive or forget what it describes as crimes committed during the conflict.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the development and announced that Pakistan would host a ceremony related to the Iran-U.S. agreement in Geneva on Friday.

Addressing the National Assembly, Sharif described the development as a historic milestone for peace, saying the world had moved beyond the darkness of war toward a new era of diplomacy.

JD Vance visit to Pakistan postponed as Iran talks remain unclear

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JD Vance

ISLAMABAD: The planned visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for the second round of Iran-US negotiations has been postponed, according to American media reports.

Sources said the delay comes after Iran did not respond regarding participation in the upcoming talks. However, US officials familiar with the matter indicated that the visit could be rescheduled at any time.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information Atta Tarar stated that the ongoing Iran-US ceasefire is set to expire at 4:50 AM (Pakistan time) on April 22.

According to reports, the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States is nearing its end, with uncertainty still surrounding the next steps from both sides.

US media further reported that negotiations could resume at any moment, although President Donald Trump has indicated he is not in favor of extending the ceasefire without a long-term agreement.

On the other hand, Iran has stated that no decision has yet been made regarding sending a delegation to Islamabad for talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that participation in the negotiations would depend on whether they prove meaningful and productive.

He also strongly criticized US actions against Iranian vessels, calling them a serious violation of international law, “maritime piracy,” and “state terrorism.” He added that such actions further deepen Iran’s distrust of the United States and raise serious questions about Washington’s intentions.

PM Shehbaz meets US Vice President JD Vance, discusses regional peace

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PM Shehbaz

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, during which both sides discussed bilateral relations and key regional issues.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was also attended by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner from the US side, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied the prime minister.

Discussions focused on regional peace, stability, and prospects for enhanced cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreed to work together for promoting peace and stability in the region.

During the meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue its efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

The White House also confirmed the meeting, highlighting its significance in the context of ongoing diplomatic engagements.

The prime minister appreciated the constructive participation of US and Iranian delegations in the Islamabad talks, expressing hope that the negotiations would prove to be a key step toward sustainable and lasting peace.

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating dialogue, stating that continued engagement would help build trust and cooperation between the parties involved.

JD Vance emphasizes priority to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons

by
JD Vance

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the United States’ top priority is to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons.

In a recent statement, Vance described the second round of negotiations with Iran as constructive in certain areas, but noted that Tehran is still not prepared to discuss some of the red lines set by President Trump.

“We will continue to work on this issue,” Vance said, adding that the President has the authority to declare at any time that diplomatic efforts have run their course.

Vance expressed hope that such a situation would not arise, stressing that any decision to end talks would ultimately depend on the President. He declined to specify the red lines in his comments.

The remarks underline the ongoing U.S. focus on nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East while maintaining diplomatic engagement with Iran.