‘I’m not running’: Trump brushes off concerns Iran war could hurt GOP in midterms
President Donald Trump says he’s committed to the war with Iran, even as it remains unpopular ahead of the midterm elections. On Wednesday, Trump brushed off concerns that his strategy could hurt Republicans in November
“I’m not affected by the election,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “Number one, I’m not running, but my party’s running, and I’m going to help my party. But I think my party respects the fact that we’re not allowing Iran to have a weapon. And frankly, other presidents should have done that, but they didn’t have whatever it takes to do it.”
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But the war — and the higher gas prices that have come with it — could be a political problem for Republicans as they fight to keep control of Congress in November. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds just 36% of Americans approve of the war.
Iran targets US bases
Meanwhile, Kuwait is condemning Iran after its air defenses intercepted another round of Iranian missiles and drones overnight. In a statement early Thursday, Kuwait’s foreign ministry called the attacks a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and a “dangerous escalation” in the region.
“The Ministry emphasizes that the State of Kuwait reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to preserve its sovereignty, maintain its security, and defend its territories and vital facilities against any aggression or threat,” it said in a statement.
Iran’s military claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it targeted U.S. military facilities in both Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates
In a statement, Iran’s army claimed it hit U.S. satellite installations, warehouses and fighter jet hangars at the Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait. It said the attacks were in “retaliation for the pure blood of innocent people and brave members of the armed forces” killed in Iran by American strikes in recent days.
It claimed the strikes “caused damage to the communications systems and fighter aircraft hangars,” but offered no evidence.
The U.S. has not confirmed any bases were hit.
The latest attacks come after Trump said on Wednesday the U.S. is prepared to carry out more strikes on Iran “anytime we want.”