United States Vice President JD Vance has accused some members of the Israeli government of attempting to influence American public opinion in a bid to prolong the conflict with Iran and undermine diplomatic efforts.
Speaking during a podcast interview with conservative commentator Joe Rogan, which aired on Wednesday, Vance claimed that a well-funded foreign influence campaign was aimed at derailing negotiations between the United States and Iran.
According to him, the campaign sought to prevent a diplomatic agreement from moving forward despite ongoing efforts to resolve tensions through dialogue.
Vance, who played a key role in the negotiations that produced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in mid-June, defended the agreement, saying it was intended to keep discussions alive, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and establish a 60-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a lasting peace deal.
He also urged Israeli leaders to avoid actions that could strain relations with the United States, describing America as Israel’s most significant ally.
Despite the agreement, negotiations later stalled amid renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. The United States subsequently carried out a series of military strikes on Iran, with recent attacks reportedly hitting civilian infrastructure in southern Iran, resulting in casualties and damage to public facilities.
Vance further alleged that certain individuals were actively working to shape American public opinion in support of extending the conflict indefinitely.
While acknowledging that foreign governments often attempt to influence U.S. policy, he said his concern was when American leaders allowed such efforts to affect their judgment and decision-making.
The vice president also claimed he had personally become the target of an Israeli-linked influence campaign because of his involvement in diplomatic engagement with Iran, saying he faced intense criticism for pursuing the negotiation strategy directed by President Donald Trump.
