Iran war: Top US lawmaker says Republicans can ‘absolutely’ win midterms
US House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that Republicans will retain control of the House in the upcoming midterms despite public dissatisfaction with the ongoing war in Iran. He argued that the conflict was a necessary measure to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Why it matters
It illustrates the political stakes of the US-Iran conflict ahead of the midterm elections and the administration's attempt to justify the war to voters.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, admits it ‘would be helpful’ if conflict ends before elections in November.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info House Speaker Mike Johnson says the US 'can't trust the Iranians on the other side of the negotiating table' [File: Eric Lee/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff Published On 23 Aug 2026 23 Aug 2026 Mike Johnson, speaker of the United States House of Representatives, says he is confident that his Republican Party will retain control of the chamber despite the unpopularity of the war on Iran.
Asked by Fox News on Sunday whether Republicans could win in the midterm elections in November if the conflict is still ongoing, Johnson said: “Absolutely”.
However, he added that “it would be helpful to get that thing resolved” before the vote on November 3.
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