Israel free to choose how it retaliates against Iran: Vance
The US should support Israel in its retaliation against Iran, even if it includes a preemptive strike, Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick, J.D. Vance, said during a televised debate on CBS News on Tuesday.
Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, faced his Democratic opponent, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on live TV only hours after Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel, marking a significant escalation in Middle East tensions.
Asked by a moderator if he would back an preemptive Israeli strike on Iran, Vance reaffirmed Washington’s long-standing support for the Jewish state.
“Look, it is up to Israel what they think they need to do to keep their country safe, and we should support our allies wherever they are when they’re fighting the bad guys. That’s the right approach to the Israel question,” Vance replied.
He went on to argue that Trump had kept America’s adversaries in check when he was president. “Trump actually delivered stability in the world, and he did it by establishing effective deterrence. People were afraid of stepping out of line,” Vance said.
Walz avoided answering directly if he would back an Israeli preemptive strike. He said, however, that “Israel’s ability to be able to defend itself is absolutely fundamental.”