US Vice President Vance accuses Israeli government of influencing US opinion against Iran diplomacy

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has publicly accused elements within the Israeli government of actively working to sway American public opinion against a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran. In remarks made during an interview on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Vance voiced sharp criticism of one of Washington's closest allies.

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I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are ‌trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign.

Vance defended a recent U.S. agreement to end the war with Iran, stating, "I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign." He referenced a Time Magazine report alleging that a former Trump campaign manager was hired by Israel to run a digital campaign influencing U.S. views on the conflict.

"There’s a literal foreign influence campaign being funded to tank the very deal that I was pursuing," Vance told Rogan. He added, "You have seen this very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal." Vance asserted that specific individuals within the Israeli system are manipulating American public opinion to prolong the war indefinitely.

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There’s a literal foreign influence campaign being funded to tank the very deal that I was pursuing.

Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane noted that the Israeli-linked influence campaign Vance referenced is likely intended to target the "MAGA [Make America Great Again] base," a demographic increasingly divided on U.S. policy toward Israel. This strategic targeting may explain Vance's choice of the Joe Rogan podcast, given its significant influence on young men within the MAGA base.

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You have seen this very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal.

Vance also claimed that an Israeli-linked influence campaign had personally targeted him due to his diplomatic efforts with Iran. While acknowledging that both allies and adversaries attempt to influence U.S. policy, Vance stated, "What does bother me is when those operations, those influence campaigns, actually affect American political judgement." He reiterated his support for the U.S.-Iran interim peace agreement, which has faced considerable opposition from Israel.

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What does bother me is when those operations, those influence campaigns, actually affect ⁠American political judgement.