Israel Spends $50 Million on AI-Driven Campaign Against Iran Nuclear Deal in US

A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Israel invested approximately $50 million of public funds in a covert AI-based messaging campaign aimed at influencing American public opinion against the Iran nuclear agreement. The campaign, managed by Brad Parscale, former advisor to President Donald Trump, involved sending millions of text messages from fictitious volunteers named "Emma" or "Sarah" under a fake organization called "Friends for Peace." These messages questioned how US-Israel peace talks with Iran would impact global security, flooding US citizens' phones in recent months.

US Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed the Time magazine exposé and criticized Israel's efforts, describing the campaign as a well-funded, discreet attempt to sabotage negotiations. Vance stated in a Joe Rogan podcast that Israel opposes negotiations and prefers an indefinite military campaign, contrasting with his goal to secure a deal aligned with presidential directives.

Documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show that in September, the international advertising agency Havas hired Parscale's firm Clock Tower X to run a digital campaign for Israel. The contract required producing 100 original pieces monthly, with at least 80% targeting Gen Z audiences on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and podcasts. Parscale also committed to distributing content via the conservative Salem media network, aiming for 50 million monthly impressions. The campaign sought to influence AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini in their portrayal of Israel and the conflict.

Officially framed as a fight against antisemitism, an Israeli Foreign Ministry source acknowledged the strategic goal was to prevent conservative youth from turning against Israel amid rising criticism from figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon. Parscale admitted the campaign aimed to retain conservative youth support but denied acting against Trump's objectives or ceasefire agreements, dismissing allegations as anonymous smears. He also stated that contract funds were not directly paid to influencers to avoid disclosure requirements and mentioned other Christian organizations hired his firms to support Israel without naming them.

The White House expressed outrage that what began as an informational campaign evolved into an influence operation conflicting with the president's diplomatic interests. A senior US intelligence official condemned the paid foreign influence efforts by American influencers as a serious matter that cannot be dismissed lightly.