US Vice-President JD Vance has publicly blamed the war in Iran for the Republicans' heavy defeat in the midterm elections — and President Donald Trump has agreed with him, while insisting he would launch the campaign again.

In a post on X on Wednesday, 4 November, Mr Vance wrote: "The reason we lost is the war." He argued losing the Senate for the next six years was the price of the conflict, and said "any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there". He added that "the president himself said so last night".

The Democrats took both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's elections, described by US networks as one of the most lopsided midterm results in modern history.

Trump: "largely true" — but he would do it again

Asked about Mr Vance's post, Mr Trump said: "I think it's largely true, because it drove gasoline up a little bit short-term." He added: "But at the same time, if I had to do it again, I'd have to do it again, because long-term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."

Strikes may resume

The row comes as Mr Trump weighs whether to restart major combat operations against Iran, a step US officials have told Reuters is still under consideration. Reuters reported Mr Trump was briefed last week by Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, on options for restarting combat operations, according to two sources.

Sources cited by Reuters said Mr Trump is still likely to resume strikes, having held off only because of the midterms. The New York Times reported Mr Vance had shown his message to Mr Trump before posting it.

The dispute is separate from the US-Iran deal talks, which Tehran is still reviewing.

Sources: The Business Standard (TBS News), Vance repudiates Iran war after US electoral defeat, 5 November 2026; SRN News (The Media Line), Vance blames Iran war, Israel ties for midterm losses, president Trump defends strikes, 5 November 2026.