Iran war: Trump says Republican midterm losses were worth it to stop a nuclear Iran

US President Donald Trump said it was "largely true\" that the war in Iran hurt Republicans in the midterm election. Donald Trump still defended the decision and said Donald Trump would repeat it. Donald Trump said stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon was necessary for the long term.

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Donald Trump responded after reporters asked about Vice President JD Vance’s remarks. JD Vance had linked the Iran war to a Republican midterm wipeout. Donald Trump said the conflict raised fuel costs for a short time. Donald Trump said the broader goal still mattered.

Trump Iran war comments on midterm losses

\"Well, I think its largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term,\" Trump told reporters when asked about Vice President J D Vances remarks that the Iran war led to Republican losses in the election.

\"But at the same time, if I had it to do again, Id have to do it again. Because long term, its the only answer. You cant let Iran have a nuclear weapon,\" he said.

Trump Iran war claim of military damage

Donald Trump said the United States would not change its actions in the conflict. Donald Trump argued that the military campaign had achieved its aims. Donald Trump said the outcome left Iran’s forces heavily weakened across several areas.

\"But I can tell you that as far as that war is concerned, I would have done nothing different. Weve totally broken their military. The navys gone. Their air force is gone. Their anti-aircraft is gone,\" Trump said.

Trump Iran war and Hormuz Strait oil flow

Donald Trump also connected political damage to oil prices rather than combat itself. Donald Trump said shipments through the Hormuz Strait improved after an earlier drop. Donald Trump said the price of oil was likely the main factor affecting voters.

\"The Iran thing, we had to do, and we continue to do it. We have tremendous oil flowing out of the Hormuz Strait now. At the beginning, there was none. And, probably thats the primary reason – the price, not the war, the price of oil,\" Trump said.

Trump Iran war and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

Donald Trump said Donald Trump was not looking to replace Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Donald Trump made the comment amid public dissatisfaction with the war with Iran. Donald Trump gave a brief assessment of Pete Hegseth’s performance.

\"Hegseth is doing a great job,\" he said.

JD Vance, often seen as a likely successor to Donald Trump in the White House, placed the blame elsewhere. JD Vance said the president’s war in Iran caused the Republicans’ midterm wipeout. Donald Trump, however, kept focus on long-term security and oil price impacts.

With inputs from PTI