JD Vance Says Iran War Was The Reason Why For The GOP’s Electoral Rout: ‘Everyone Knows’

Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war was the main reason for the Republican party's rout in the midterm elections and an "honest conversation" needs to be had about it moving forward.

In a lengthy social media publication on Wednesday, Vance analyzed the election, saying that many Republicans who turned out to vote instead chose Democrats to punish their party for ignoring their concerns.

"Undoubtedly there were places we could have done better on turnout. But the main problem is not turnout. The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026," Vance said in a passage of the publication.

He went on to concede the argument from a pollster who told him the administration's economic message "wasn't sharp enough down the stretch," but the "real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone."

"The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night. 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. But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there," Vance added.

He concluded by saying that he is "hopeful" about the future of the U.S., calling on people who "want to say 'I told you so'" to do it but help elect "Republicans who share your worldview.

Trump also acknowledged that the Iran war, which contributed to soaring gas prices in the U.S. and around the world, played a role in the results, but said he doesn't regret his decision.

"Iran was a piece of it," the president told The Wall Street Journal as the results came in. "I don't think about it. I did the right thing. I would have done it again," he added.

Trump went on to note that rising gas prices, rather than the war itself, turned voters against the Republican party.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf welcomed the results, saying voters rejected the war.

"Conscience or the cost of living, Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message," Ghalibaf wrote on X.

Ghalibaf, who has been involved in negotiations with Washington, also issued a warning to the U.S. government, saying it would face a "Nightmare" if it ignored voters to serve what he called "international paymasters and blackmailers."