'I did the right thing': Trump stands by Iran war despite Republican midterm losses

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to launch the war against Iran, saying he would have taken the same course of action despite acknowledging that the conflict contributed to his party's defeat in the midterm elections. Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday's elections, dealing a major setback to Trump's Republican Party. The war with Iran and its impact on fuel prices featured prominently in the campaign, with Democratic candidates blaming the conflict for increasing the cost of gasoline and other goods. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump acknowledged that the war had played a part in the election outcome.

"Iran was a piece of it," he said when asked whether the conflict had affected Republican candidates' performance. However, Trump stood by the decision to launch military operations alongside Israel in February. "I did the right thing. I would have done it again," he said. Speaking to Politico, Trump said he remained convinced that the decision was in the long-term interests of the United States and the world. "I am totally convinced that my decision on Iran for the long term good of our country and even the world was absolutely the correct one and it continues to be," he said. Trump also pointed to higher gasoline prices as a factor behind voter dissatisfaction.

In an interview with Fox News, he said voters were more concerned about the economic consequences of the conflict than the military campaign itself. "People agree with what I'm doing on Iran, but they really probably weren't willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline," he said, describing the increase in fuel costs as a short-term problem for a longer-term gain. The conflict, now in its ninth month, has disrupted energy markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to higher fuel costs. Trump said Washington had no immediate plans for another major attack on Iran but added that US forces remained prepared to act if necessary.

"We're ready. We're locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no reason for it," he told the Financial Times. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf interpreted the election outcome as a rejection of the war. "Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message," he said in a post on X.