WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has accused certain members of the Israeli government of attempting to undermine Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Iran and prolong the regional conflict, saying his priority is advancing US interests and preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vance alleged that a “well-funded” campaign linked to “certain elements” within Israel had sought to influence American public opinion against negotiations with Iran.
“There are some people within their system we know beyond a shadow of a doubt who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” Vance said.
He claimed those supporting continued military action had repeatedly criticised him for backing diplomatic efforts and pointed to a recent Time magazine article, which he said described attempts by individuals connected to a former Trump campaign official to undermine the negotiations.
‘I Represent Americans First’
Rejecting accusations that his stance was influenced by outside interests, Vance said his responsibility was to serve the American people.
“Go to hell. I’m going to do what I have to do for the American people. I represent Americans first,” he said, referring to what he described as a foreign influence campaign against the negotiations.
Despite his criticism of some Israeli officials, Vance stressed that Israel did not dictate President Donald Trump’s decision to take military action against Iran.
He said Trump independently believes that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, a position Vance said he fully supports.
Supports Diplomacy Alongside Security
Describing himself as “a reasonable moderate” on US policy towards Israel, Vance said not everyone within the Israeli government opposes diplomatic engagement.
According to him, many Israeli officials recognise that an open-ended military campaign is not in Israel’s long-term interest and support efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
Vance also argued that military force alone cannot eliminate threats in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Iran would still be capable of targeting commercial shipping.
“You can bomb them… but it’s just too easy to fire at ships in the straits. So, you’ve got to actually be willing to talk and to try to figure out the problem,” he said.
His remarks come days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Vance’s earlier suggestion that the United States was Israel’s only major ally, citing countries such as India as examples of Israel’s broader international partnerships while reaffirming his close relationship with both Vance and President Trump.
WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has accused certain members of the Israeli government of attempting to undermine Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Iran and prolong the regional conflict, saying his priority is advancing US interests and preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vance alleged that a “well-funded” campaign linked to “certain elements” within Israel had sought to influence American public opinion against negotiations with Iran.
“There are some people within their system we know beyond a shadow of a doubt who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” Vance said.
He claimed those supporting continued military action had repeatedly criticised him for backing diplomatic efforts and pointed to a recent Time magazine article, which he said described attempts by individuals connected to a former Trump campaign official to undermine the negotiations.
‘I Represent Americans First’
Rejecting accusations that his stance was influenced by outside interests, Vance said his responsibility was to serve the American people.
“Go to hell. I’m going to do what I have to do for the American people. I represent Americans first,” he said, referring to what he described as a foreign influence campaign against the negotiations.
Despite his criticism of some Israeli officials, Vance stressed that Israel did not dictate President Donald Trump’s decision to take military action against Iran.
He said Trump independently believes that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, a position Vance said he fully supports.
Supports Diplomacy Alongside Security
Describing himself as “a reasonable moderate” on US policy towards Israel, Vance said not everyone within the Israeli government opposes diplomatic engagement.
According to him, many Israeli officials recognise that an open-ended military campaign is not in Israel’s long-term interest and support efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
Vance also argued that military force alone cannot eliminate threats in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Iran would still be capable of targeting commercial shipping.
“You can bomb them… but it’s just too easy to fire at ships in the straits. So, you’ve got to actually be willing to talk and to try to figure out the problem,” he said.
His remarks come days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Vance’s earlier suggestion that the United States was Israel’s only major ally, citing countries such as India as examples of Israel’s broader international partnerships while reaffirming his close relationship with both Vance and President Trump.
