JD Vance says Israeli officials tried to influence US opinion on Iran deal

US Vice President JD Vance said some members of the Israeli government sought to influence American public opinion in an effort to undermine Washington's deal to end the war with Iran, according to comments made during a podcast interview with Joe Rogan released on July 15.

The remarks add to growing public disagreements between the two allies and reflect criticism Vance has voiced previously regarding Israeli government policy, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

The vice president is widely viewed as a potential future presidential candidate.

Vance defended the agreement reached last month to end the conflict with Iran, despite criticism in both the United States and Israel that the deal failed to curb Tehran's missile program, did not establish a clear roadmap for dismantling its nuclear facilities and limited Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"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 said.

While noting that he maintains "good relationships" with some Israeli officials, he argued that others had attempted to shape American public opinion in favor of prolonging the conflict.

"There are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely," he stated.

Vance added that foreign governments routinely attempt to influence U.S. policy and public discourse.

"It doesn't bother me that Israel tries to do this, it frankly doesn't even bother me that Russia or some of these other countries do it," he said, describing it as "just the nature of being a political leader in 2026."

However, he stressed that such efforts become problematic when they begin affecting Washington's decision-making process.

"What does bother me is when those operations, those influence campaigns, actually affect American political judgment," the vice president said.

Vance had already criticized Israeli opponents of the Iran deal in June, arguing that President Donald Trump remained Israel's most important ally while highlighting the extensive U.S. military assistance provided to the country.

Senior Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, have maintained that the agreement failed to address Israel's concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile program, a position they say is broadly shared within the country's leadership.

Asked whether the United States would have become involved in the latest conflict with Iran without Israeli influence, Vance replied: "yes, yes I do."

"I think the president, separate from any influence from Israel, believes very strongly, and again I agree with this, that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon," Vance said.

Israel's Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov