JD Vance Accuses Israel of 'Manipulating' US Opinion on Iran War

US Vice-President JD Vance has ignited a fresh controversy, accusing certain members of the Israeli government of attempting to manipulate American public opinion to prolong the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking on the popular 'Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, Vance stated that while he trusts some within the Israeli government, others are "manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely."

This assertion comes amidst a backdrop of renewed tensions in the Middle East, despite the US reaching a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran last month. The MOU, which allowed for continued negotiations and included a now-abandoned 60-day ceasefire and a condition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, aimed to de-escalate the conflict. However, with recent resumptions of tensions over the Strait, the US has intensified its strikes on Iran, while Tehran has targeted US allies in the region.

Vance, who has been deeply involved in negotiations with Iran—attending talks in Pakistan in April and signing the MOU in Switzerland in June—explicitly pointed to a "very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal." He claimed to have "exact evidence" that some Israeli leaders "hate the deal."

The Israeli government has yet to respond directly to Vance's comments. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the general sentiment, stating on Thursday: "I think the president would certainly agree that, yes, foreign countries certainly do try to persuade American public opinion." Vance clarified his stance, noting that he doesn't object to foreign governments attempting to influence the US position, as they do "all the time." What truly bothers him, he explained, is "when Americans allow, meaning American leadership allows, that influence to affect their judgment and" sway policy.

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