Vice President Vance on Wednesday alleged that members of the Israeli government mounted a covert campaign to derail the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, escalating a public rift over foreign influence in American politics. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vance said certain Israeli officials “hate” the agreement and are actively working to sway U.S. public opinion against it.
The deal, outlined in a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed last month, aimed to establish a 60-day ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and require Iran to dismantle its enriched uranium stockpiles while reaffirming its pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons. However, the ceasefire has largely collapsed, and the agreement remains in limbo.
“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 told Rogan. “Not toward any objective, but just indefinitely.”
The vice president pointed to a Time magazine report that former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale received $45 million to create an online campaign for Israel, producing 100 pieces of content monthly to prevent young conservatives from turning against Israel. Parscale has denied the allegations, stating online that “there isn’t a single shred of evidence that I acted against the Administration.”
“When I open up the pages of Time magazine, and I see that there’s a literal foreign influence campaign being funded to tank the very deal that I was pursuing, and many of the people who were receiving that money were actually attacking me in completely dishonest ways,” Vance said. “My response to that is, well, go to hell. I’m going to do what I have to do for the American people.”
Conservative commentators Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly have previously suggested that the U.S. entered the war with Iran at Israel’s behest, and that President Trump’s recent push to exit the conflict has drawn criticism from Israeli officials. Vance acknowledged that such influence efforts are routine, but drew a red line when American leaders allow them to shape policy.
“I don’t actually mind that—let’s say certain elements of the Israeli government want to criticize the deal or have disagreements,” he said. “What bothers me is actually when American leadership allows that influence to affect their judgment and to affect what they are advocating for. That’s what really bothers me.”
Vance, a former Marine and senator who opposed foreign forever wars, also said he believes Trump would have struck Iran earlier this year without any Israeli influence. “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,” he added.
The Israeli embassy did not respond to requests for comment on Parscale’s alleged campaign or Vance’s accusations. The vice president’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of foreign lobbying, following a bipartisan push to advance Russia sanctions legislation and ongoing debates over U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Vance’s interview also touched on the failed Iran deal and his role as a potential scapegoat, as well as the broader 2028 GOP primary landscape where Trump’s shadow looms large.
