How Trump's 'Little Detour' to Iran Became a Roadblock in the Midterm Elections

Donald Trump’s move into war with Iran is emerging as a drag on his party as the U.S. heads toward the Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to voter and strategist accounts. The Iran conflict—often described by Trump as a “little detour”—is weighing on Republican candidates as fuel prices stay high and the fighting expands. An AP-NORC poll reported last week found voters across party lines want the next Congress to focus on affordability and ending the war, which has broader economic ripple effects. The situation has intensified with Iran-backed Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and airports, prompting Saudi-led responses in Yemen. Separately, the State Department said it is reducing staffing at four U.S. embassies in the Middle East after intelligence about increased Iranian efforts to target American personnel.