Vance Accuses Israel of Manipulating U.S. Opinion to Prolong Iran War
In a candid appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, U.S. Vice‑President J.D. Vance accused certain elements of the Israeli government of trying to shape American popular opinion to keep the Iran war alive. He claimed the Israeli officials were running a discreet, well‑funded campaign to stall U.S. negotiations and suppress the recently brokered Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran.
Vance highlighted that the MOU had already opened a new round of talks and even involved a short‑term ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He said that Israeli leaders, he added, publicly harbored a dislike for the deal and were actively discouraging U.S. diplomatic moves.
He also pointed to heightened clashes – U.S. strikes against Iran in February and subsequent Iranian provocations against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf – as evidence that the conflict was widening. Vance, who flew to Pakistan and Switzerland to negotiate and sign the MOU, stressed the importance of transparency and warned that any foreign influence on U.S. decision‑making is damaging.
The Israeli government has not replied to the remarks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that foreign countries try to sway American sentiment, saying “the president would agree that, yes, foreign agendas attempt to persuade public opinion.”
Vance’s comments add to a growing list of critiques from the former president over Israel’s stance on the Iran conflict, including an earlier call in June for Israeli leaders to refrain from attacking “the only powerful ally” left in the world. Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected a bill to slash billions of dollars in aid to Israel, signalling shifting views within Congress.
