US President Donald Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the war with Iran had contributed to his Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections, while defending his handling of the conflict and offering rare praise for his Democratic opponents.
“I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, people understood the importance of what I’ve done with Iran,” Trump said in a telephone interview with Fox News late Tuesday.
His remarks came as Democrats secured control of the Senate and appeared poised to regain the House of Representatives, dealing a major blow to Trump’s political agenda during the final two years of his presidency.
The elections were widely viewed as a referendum on Trump’s leadership, with the eight-month-old war against Iran, rising living costs and economic uncertainty weighing heavily on Republican candidates.
Iran War Fuels Economic Pressures
The conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and has severely disrupted global energy markets, particularly oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply before the war.
The disruption has driven up energy prices and increased financial pressure on American households, making the conflict a major issue ahead of the elections.
Trump had previously defended his decision to launch the military campaign, arguing that it was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In September, he said he had no regrets about going to war with Iran despite concerns that the conflict could damage Republican electoral prospects, insisting he would make the same decision again.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue Amid Rising Tensions
Trump’s latest comments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, with Washington and Tehran engaged in indirect negotiations through regional mediators.
Despite those efforts, tensions remain high following reports of limited US strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.
Trump Praises Democratic Performance
Commenting on the election results, Trump offered rare praise for the Democrats, acknowledging their strong performance.
“I think the Democrats did a good job. I really do. I think they did a good job. They fought hard,” he told Fox News.
The president also acknowledged that there was a “mood in the air,” while insisting that “I shouldn’t feel guilty.”
The Democratic gains are expected to complicate Trump’s legislative agenda and could expose his administration’s handling of the Iran war to greater scrutiny from Congress.
