Israel on Thursday rejected claims that it was behind the US decision to attack Iran. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said the decision to launch the military action was made by Washington, not Tel Aviv. His remarks come as the Iran war faces growing criticism in the US, with Vice President JD Vance blaming the conflict and America's ties with Israel for the Republican Party's crushing defeat in the 2026 midterm elections.

Israel Pushes Back Against Claims

Speaking to Israeli news outlet i24NEWS, Danon rejected attempts to hold Israel responsible for the American military campaign against Iran. He maintained that Washington had taken the decision independently and that Israel had only supported the operation. He also pushed back against criticism linking Israel to the economic consequences of the conflict, particularly rising oil prices and the financial pressure faced by American households.

"The decision to attack Iran was the decision of the United States. It wasn't our decision. We supported the US effort, and we think it was the right decision," he said. It’s very easy always to blame Israel for everything. But that's not the case," Danon said.

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JD Vance Blames War For Republicans Defeat

Danon's remarks come at a time when the Iran war has emerged as a major political issue in Washington following the Republicans' disastrous performance in the November 3 midterm elections. Vice President JD Vance has directly attributed the party's defeat to growing public frustration over the conflict, arguing that several voters who supported Trump and Vance in the 2024 presidential election turned against Republicans in the latest polls. The vice president has also pointed to dissatisfaction with the administration's relationship with Israel as one of the factors behind the electoral setback.

In a lengthy statement posted on X, Vance said the Republican defeat was not simply a result of supporters failing to turn out to vote. Instead, he argued that a section of the electorate that had backed the Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 had switched sides. Referring to the findings of a pollster he had consulted, Vance identified four major concerns among voters: an end to the war with Iran, greater attention to the rising cost of living, a renewed focus on the 'America First' agenda and a change in Washington's relationship with Israel. Explaining the party's setback, Vance wrote, "The reason we lost is the war."

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump also acknowledged that the Iran war had played a role in his party's electoral setback. Responding to a question about Vance's assessment at the White House, Trump said the vice president was "Largely true," when he linked the Republican defeat to the conflict. The president's response came hours after Democrats registered major victories across the country, taking control of both chambers of Congress and dealing a significant blow to the Republican administration.

Democrats' Big Win In US Midterms

The Democratic victory marked a sweeping turnaround in the balance of power in Washington, with the party making significant gains in both traditionally Republican states and key battlegrounds. Democrats are projected to secure control of the House of Representatives with at least 259 seats, according to NBC News projections, comfortably crossing the 218-seat threshold required for a majority. The party also made substantial gains in Senate contests, while flipping several governors' offices in an election widely seen as a rejection of Trump's political agenda.

ALSO READ: Why Did Republicans Suffer Disastrous Midterm Defeat? JD Vance Blames 'Iran War' And Close Ties With Israel

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