Vice President JD Vance blames Trump's Iran war for the Republican midterm wipeout, saying 'everyone knows why we lost'
Donald Trump, pictured with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, whose notably different tones on Iran — Vance voicing optimism over a diplomatic deal — emerged as polls opened on the midterms.Smoke rising from a vessel on open water, as Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Wednesday that Hormuz oil flows had fallen to 45 percent of prewar levels amid the ongoing conflict.A US Air Force C-17 tracked over Europe as part of an airlift of advanced air defence systems into southern Israel, as Israel passed intelligence to the US alleging Iran was considering the use of chemical weapons.IRGC Navy missile infrastructure tunnels along Iran's southern coast, as Tehran unveiled a mural calling for the killing of Donald Trump.
Vice President JD Vance made a stark public break with President Trump on Wednesday, arguing that the Iran war had been the decisive factor behind Republicans losing both the House and Senate in the midterms. Internal polling he cited showed disillusioned 2024 Trump voters had four core demands: a halt to the war, action on the cost of living, putting America First, and a reset of the relationship with Israel. Donald Trump Jr, Trump's eldest son, gave the post his full endorsement, responding with three 100-emojis.
Vance told supporters of the Iran war to 'argue it was worth losing the Senate for six years — at least that's honest.'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei posted on X that 'the process of the US's collapse has accelerated,' citing the election results.
Democrats captured traditionally Republican territory including Texas, South Carolina, Kansas and Ohio, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer threatened to deploy the 'power of the purse' to cut Pentagon funding and bring the conflict to an end.
