US midterms 2026: Could a Trump defeat in Congress alter the Iran war?

File photo: How US midterms could shape Trump’s next move in the Iran war The outcome of the US midterm elections could reshape the political constraints on US president Donald Trump’s war with Iran, even if it does not directly determine the course of the military campaign.A Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives would give the opposition greater power to investigate the administration’s handling of the conflict, question its objectives and press for limits on further military action. But Trump would remain commander-in-chief, with the authority to direct US military operations.Congress does have powers over war and military spending, but using them to force a president to change course is difficult. Trump could veto legislation seeking to restrict military operations, and overriding that veto would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers, a threshold Democrats are unlikely to reach even if they make significant gains. Lawmakers may also be reluctant to cut funding for American troops already deployed in the region.The political pressure could nevertheless influence Trump's calculations. The Iran war has become a domestic issue as its economic consequences, par...