JD Vance Accuses Israeli Officials of Influencing U.S. Opinion on Iran War

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has accused some members of the Israeli government of attempting to influence American public opinion to prolong the conflict with Iran.

Vice President JD Vance recently discussed U.S.-Israel relations and the Iran conflict during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. (Photo: Vice President JD Vance Facebook)

Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, Vance said that while he trusts some Israeli officials, others "are manipulating and trying to change U.S. public opinion to keep the war going indefinitely," Grace Eliza Goodwin reported for BBC News.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "I think the president would certainly agree that, yes, foreign countries certainly do try to persuade American public opinion."

Vance said some Israeli officials have sought to steer the United States away from negotiations with Iran.

"I definitely think you have seen this very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiations and derail the deal," he said, adding that there is "exact evidence" that some Israeli leaders oppose the agreement.

The United States reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran last month that allowed formal negotiations to continue.

The agreement also included a now-abandoned 60-day ceasefire and provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

However, tensions over the strategic waterway have recently intensified, with the United States increasing strikes against Iran while Tehran has targeted U.S. allies in the region.