Vice President Addresses Reports of Heightened Israeli Intelligence Activity

Vice President JD Vance addressed questions about reports that the Pentagon raised Israel's counterintelligence threat level to its highest category. The designation followed internal concerns that Israel was directing surveillance efforts toward senior U.S. officials involved in Middle East policy decisions.

Background on the Reports NBC reported that the Defense Intelligence Agency circulated an internal alert and a seven-page assessment describing Israel's human and technical collection capabilities as reaching a critical level. The assessment cited efforts to obtain information on internal U.S. deliberations regarding Middle East conflicts.

The White House has denied the reports.

Asked about the matter during an interview, Vance stated that the United States and Israel share many interests but also have areas where their interests diverge. Vance added that the president has made clear the U.S. objective regarding Iran is preventing a nuclear weapon and that a long-term settlement remains possible.

Vance described a pending peace deal between Washington and Tehran as a home run for the American people, whether or not Israel liked it.