US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the war with Iran contributed to the Republican Party’s losses in the 2026 midterm elections, agreeing with Vice President JD Vance that the conflict was a major factor in the party’s defeat.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said Vance’s assessment was “largely true,” pointing to the impact of the conflict on gasoline prices.

“I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term,” Trump said.

His remarks came a day after Republicans suffered major losses in the November 3 midterm elections, with Democrats winning control of both chambers of Congress.

Vance had earlier argued that the war was the principal reason Republicans lost, saying many voters who supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election had switched to Democrats.

Trump, however, defended his decision to launch the military campaign, insisting that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons justified the economic and political costs.

“At the same time, if I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again, because long term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Asked whether he believed the war was worth the election losses, Trump responded that he had no choice but to act.

The president also said he would have won the midterm elections if he had been on the ballot, arguing that the enthusiasm at his campaign rallies had not translated into votes for Republican candidates.

The admission comes as Republicans face mounting pressure to reassess their political strategy following the election results, with Vance calling for an honest discussion about the war and its impact on voters.

Trump maintained that the military operation was necessary, even as he acknowledged that rising fuel prices had contributed to his party’s electoral setback.