JD Vance blames the Iran war for the Republicans' midterm rout: "The reason we lost is the war"

US Vice-President JD Vance has blamed the war with Iran for the Republican Party losing control of Congress in the midterm elections. This report draws on CBS News, NBC News and the BBC. ## Vance's post In his first comments since the results, Vance wrote on X on Wednesday: "The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night." He added: "If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest." Citing pollsters, he said turnout was not the main problem. "The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026," he wrote. He listed four issues behind the swing: ending the Iran war, the cost of living and inflation, putting America first, and changing the US relationship with Israel, CBS News and NBC News report. He also said the party's economic messaging "wasn't sharp enough" late in the campaign. ## Trump's response Trump said on Wednesday that Vance's statement was "largely true" but that the war was necessary: "I would have done nothing different," the BBC reports. He had earlier told The Wall Street Journal, "Iran was a piece of it", and said he would do it again, NBC News reports. The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and has pushed up fuel prices. The Defense Department says 23 US service members have been killed and 865 wounded, CBS News reports. Vance is seen as a possible 2028 presidential contender.