JD Vance accuses Israel of 'manipulating' US public opinion to prolong Iran war

Vance has been heavily involved in negotiations with Iran - attending negotiations in Pakistan in April and travelling to Switzerland in June for the signing of the MOU.He told Joe Rogan that he "doesn't mind" what he described as "certain elements of the Israeli government" criticising the US position, adding that "foreign governments trying and influence the government all the time"."What bothers me is actually when Americans allow, meaning American leadership allows, that influence to affect their judgement and to affect what they are advocating for," he said. It is the latest in a series of criticisms the vice-president has recently made against Israel as the Trump administration continues to try to find an end to the war, both through diplomatic negotiations and renewed military strikes. In June, he urged Israeli political leaders, some of whom had chided the US over its agreement with Iran to extend the ceasefire between the two countries, not to attack "the only powerful ally" they have "anywhere left in the entire world".The US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran in February, prompting Tehran to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. The fighting has also spread to Lebanon. Israel considers Iran a threat to its existence and wants the complete removal of Iran's nuclear and missile programme, as well as regime change.Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected a measure to cut billions of dollars-worth of Israel" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="128129" data-entity-type="topic">US aid to Israel.