Trump unsure how to handle Iran after Republicans’ election defeat – WSJ
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump has yet to decide what steps to take regarding Iran following the midterm elections. Some officials are urging him to resume strikes, while others want to wind down the operation, The Wall Street Journal reports.
According to sources, some administration officials are currently pushing Trump to launch new strikes against Iran and then seek peace, allowing him to end the war before his presidential term expires.
Other officials believe Trump should accept the losses and wind down the military operation. WSJ sources say the situation exposes an increasingly deep divide within the administration over the war, following Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections.
The media outlet also noted that on November 4, US Vice President JD Vance described the war with Iran as the reason behind the Republicans' crushing election defeat.
WSJ added that Vance's decision to blame Trump's war for the disastrous election results was a rare moment of distancing himself from the president, to whom he owes his political career.
It also highlights how strongly Vance opposed the war from the very beginning, despite repeatedly making public statements in its defense.
What else you should know
On November 4, US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged that the war against Iran had driven up gasoline prices and contributed to Republicans losing the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Iran welcomed the Republicans' defeat. Reuters noted that Tehran fears Trump could launch new strikes.
We also reported that, according to CBS News, the election defeat could trigger high-profile departures in the United States. Sources say the White House may be considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
