By Gloria Ogbonna
The White House has forcefully rejected reports suggesting Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are divided over U.S. policy toward Iran and the broader Middle East, insisting the two officials are fully aligned and working together to carry out President Donald Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
A White House official dismissed recent media reports portraying a disagreement between Vance and Rubio as “completely ridiculous,” arguing that the narrative is based on speculation rather than facts.
“The idea that Vance and Rubio differ in their messaging and perspectives on Lebanon is just completely ridiculous,” the official said in a statement. “The fact that this speculative and thinly-evidenced narrative rapidly popped up out of nowhere suggests it’s a manufactured ploy to undermine the administration.”
The official went further, accusing some media organizations of promoting misleading narratives that undermine American interests.
“The same so-called journalists who have been readily parroting Iranian propaganda for the past two weeks are now actively trying to sabotage American interests. It’s shameful,” the official added.
The response comes after several news outlets published reports suggesting Vance and Rubio had taken conflicting positions regarding Iran’s influence in Lebanon and the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Among the reports cited were headlines from Jewish Insider, National Review, Reuters, and CNN, all of which suggested differences in tone or policy between the vice president and the secretary of state.
However, supporters of the administration argued that the comments made by both officials are largely consistent and reflect the same underlying policy.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Vice President Vance described Hezbollah as a terrorist organization operating inside Lebanon and said its repeated attacks on Israel continue to fuel instability in the region.
“You have Hezbollah, a terrorist organization, that has effectively taken up shop in Lebanon,” Vance said. “Sometimes they’re firing at the Israelis, and of course that means the Israelis are going to respond in self-defense. So there’s this constant slow burn of conflict.”
Secretary Rubio delivered a similar message while speaking during a visit to Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved while Iranian-backed proxy groups continue carrying out attacks.
“You can’t have the end of hostilities and conflicts in the region as long as Iranian proxies are launching missiles and drones from Iraq and are participating in terrorism like Hamas did and like Hezbollah did,” Rubio said.
Rubio also addressed the reports directly during remarks on Thursday after being asked whether there was a divide between him and Vice President Vance.
He firmly rejected the suggestion, saying every member of the administration is united behind President Trump’s leadership.
“Everyone here is aligned behind the president of the United States,” Rubio said. “Every single one of us.”
He explained that while senior officials offer advice and recommendations, the president ultimately determines U.S. foreign policy, and the administration works together to implement those decisions.
“The president of the United States makes the foreign policy of our country,” Rubio said. “We obviously give advice, we give counsel, we give opinions. But the president is the one elected by the American people to conduct our foreign policy, and every member of his team works in lockstep to execute that policy.”
Rubio praised what he described as the administration’s collaborative approach to national security, saying it has avoided the internal conflicts often associated with previous administrations.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is that when it comes to foreign policy and national security, we have no drama and we have no games,” Rubio said.
Instead, he said officials work closely together to achieve the president’s objectives.
“We have a group of people that work very well together to execute the president’s directives, which is why I believe we’ve had good outcomes and good achievements, and we’re going to continue having good outcomes and good achievements.”
Rubio added that every senior official has an important role within the administration and that cooperation has strengthened both the White House and the country’s foreign policy efforts.
“Everyone has an important role to play, and everyone is playing that role in a collaborative process,” he said. “I think that serves the president well, and I think that serves the country well.”
The speculation surrounding Vance and Rubio also comes amid growing discussion over the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, with some political observers suggesting the two could eventually compete for the party’s nomination.
Rubio, however, has repeatedly dismissed those reports and has publicly praised the vice president.
Earlier this year, the secretary of state said he remains focused on serving in the Trump administration and completing the president’s agenda rather than considering a future presidential campaign.
“I’m going to be in this job for the next two and a half years,” Rubio said. “I’m going to finish the job for this president. I’m enjoying it very much, and I think we’re going to make a lot of good things happen.”
Rubio also spoke warmly of his relationship with Vance, describing him as both a close friend and a strong potential future leader of the Republican Party.
“JD is a very good friend of mine,” Rubio said. “If JD runs for president, I think he’d be a phenomenal candidate. I’ve said publicly, and I’ll say it again, I’ll be the first person to sign up and support him. I think JD would do great.”
The White House’s latest remarks appear aimed at putting to rest speculation about divisions within the administration as it continues to confront growing tensions with Iran and its regional proxies. Administration officials maintain that President Trump’s national security team remains unified in its approach and committed to executing a consistent foreign policy strategy across the Middle East.
Source: Breitbart
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