ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA

JUNE 16, 2026 07:32

When former president Barack Obama reached an accord with Iran in 2018 to limit its nuclear activities, American Jewish organizations split sharply in their reactions. Right-leaning groups strongly criticized the agreement for leaving Israel vulnerable, whereas left-leaning ones offered greater backing.

Now, with President Donald Trump unveiling a fresh arrangement following months of conflict involving the United States and Israel together, Jewish groups show greater unity in their unease.

Both conservative and progressive Jewish organizations are voicing reservations regarding the Sunday night announcement, although official terms are still not fully defined.

Trump has highlighted how the pact reopens the Strait of Hormuz, closed by Iran at the start of fighting on February 28. Vice President JD Vance informed ABC's "Good Morning America" that significant sanctions relief forms part of the package in return for Iran's pledge to abandon its nuclear weapons efforts.

Yet the precise nuclear concessions from Iran stay vague, and there are no signs that other Israeli security priorities, such as Tehran's missile capabilities and allied networks, have been tackled. Although Israel joined the United States in the February campaign, it played no role in the talks and faced repeated rebukes from Trump for endangering the discussions.

'An admission of defeat by the US'

"At worst, it is an admission of defeat by the United States," stated Halie Soifer, head of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, on Monday. The organization, established in 2017, follows the earlier National Jewish Democratic Council that backed the prior JCPOA accord.

Soifer continued, "Donald Trump was so eager for an Iran deal that he readily sidelined Israel, showing once more that he holds loyalty only to himself."

The conservative Zionist Organization of America thanked Trump for confronting Iran yet shared deep worries about the new terms, much as it did with the JCPOA.

"We urge the administration to reveal the full conditions without delay," said President Morton Klein. "What little is known so far raises serious issues."

Klein's remarks listed multiple concerns drawn from reports on possible terms, noting that Trump appeared to accept an accord missing elements he had long insisted were vital.

"It makes little sense for the US to ease pressure on the Iranian regime - the economic blockade that was weakening Iran - without securing the immediate removal of its nuclear stockpile, shutdown of nuclear sites, and elimination of its missile arsenal," Klein said.

The progressive group J Street had opposed the war from the outset and welcomed its end.

"At the same time," the statement read, "it is important to recognize a basic reality: This costly and illegal war met none of the broad goals used to justify it. The real tragedy is that diplomacy had already created a workable path. The JCPOA was effectively limiting Iran's nuclear program until President Trump decided to withdraw from it."

AIPAC, a leading pro-Israel group that strongly opposed the JCPOA, has issued no statement on the new deal. It did share a post from Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott outlining goals that the agreement may not meet.

"Any deal we make with Iran needs to permanently end their nuclear program, end their missile program, and stop their decades-long terror funding," Scott said.

Some concerned Iran's view on agreement differs from US

Senator Lindsey Graham, a fellow Republican from South Carolina, joined others across party lines in expressing doubts. "I am somewhat concerned that Iran's view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming," Graham posted on Sunday, adding that Vance should present the terms to Congress for approval.

Vance noted on Monday that the deal had been "digitally" signed, though some technical matters remain before a planned ceremony in Switzerland on Friday. He told US media that he believes the terms are being misunderstood and that the outcome will leave Iran without nuclear ambitions.

"If the Iranians are willing to give a long-term commitment, along with proper verification, to giving up that nuclear weapon, we are willing to welcome them into the world economy to lift some sanctions and to turn over a new leaf in that relationship," Vance said on "Good Morning America."

Some Jewish groups have offered more measured initial reactions.

The Republican Jewish Coalition has not released a statement but has shared Trump's social media posts supporting the deal. The group did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Monday.

The Democratic Majority for Israel called on Trump in a statement from president Brian Romick to "bring in serious and experienced negotiators and technical experts to get this deal over the finish line, rather than relying on friends, family, and donors." Romick also faulted Trump for excluding Israel from talks but left room for cautious hope.

"We continue to stand with the Israeli people who have been at war for more than two years, the people of Iran who have endured too many decades under a brutal regime and bravely demanded an end to oppression, as well as the Lebanese people who have lived under Hezbollah's Iran-backed occupation for decades," Romick said. "We will await the final text of this deal and hopefully bring this war to an end."