FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks with the media as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., May 28, 2026. Matt Rourke/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Political analysts and observers were astounded on Monday night after Vice President JD Vance's interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News.
Vance appeared on Hannity's eponymous show, where he was asked about the ongoing negotiations between the Trump administration and the Iranian regime to end the nearly 17-week-old conflict that has roiled the global economy. Hannity asked Vance if the U.S. would be allowed to inspect Iran's nuclear program going forward, and Vance's answer had some onlookers taken aback.
"That's absolutely something we are negotiating over, Sean," Vance said about the U.S. inspectors being allowed inside the country. "That is one of the final details that’s going to be figured out here."
Trump has said one of his goals of the war with Iran is to ensure the country never develops a nuclear weapon. Some observers noted that it would be hard to ensure that goal is met if U.S. inspectors aren't allowed to do their jobs under the final peace agreement.
Vance's comments caused a stir online.
"They’re gonna cut an amazing deal. One where Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will be the inspectors," Norman Ornstein, a political scientist and contributing editor at The Atlantic, posted on X.
"Hahahahahahaha," Ornstein added.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhaha dude," former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) posted on X.
"Honestly, if it were almost anyone else but Peter Thiel’s Fleshlight, I would feel bad for whoever had to sell this wheelbarrow of dogs--- to America," Jim Stewartson, a political commentator, posted on X.
Hannity: Let's talk about any place, anywhere, any time U.S. Inspectors? That's part of the deal?
Vance: Absolutely something we are negotiating over. That is one of the final details that’s going to be figured out here pic.twitter.com/r6xA4p1yy6
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 16, 2026