Donald Trump has admitted the US-Iran war will last beyond the November midterm elections - some think it will last well into 2029 - with Republicans now facing the possibility of losing the House and the Senate as oil prices surge towards $110/barrel.
On today’s bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey chats to Washington correspondents Connor Stringer and Benedict Smith about Trump’s spectacular gamble to convince Republicans the Iran war is not a big deal at the Republican Midterms Convention.
From threatening strikes on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site to offering voters an unprecedented $5,000 cash dividend if they vote Republican, his speech was “vintage Trump”.
Plus, is Iran interfering in the US midterms to boost the Democrats?
Highlights
- Trump insists economic pain ‘worth it’ to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapon
- Inside the colourful Republican Midterms Convention
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Connor Stringer, chief Washington correspondent @connorstringer
Benedict Smith, Washington correspondent @bsmithjourno
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
The answer to Trump’s midterm woes? Make the campaign all about him
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-republican-midterms-convention-address-analysis/
‘Common sense’ Democrat praises Trump at Republican midterm convention
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/democrat-john-fetterman-praises-trump-republican-convention/
Trump: I’ll give $5,000 to every American if we win midterms
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-convention-speech-promise-5000-dollars-midterms-win/
Rubio and Vance ‘think Iran war could last beyond the end of Trump’s term’
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/10/white-house-iran-war-trump-term/
Trump makes his last stand
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/11/republican-party-convention-midterms-trump-last-stand/
Trump’s Top Advisers Confront Possibility That Iran War Lasts Through End of Term
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trumps-top-advisers-confront-possibility-that-iran-war-lasts-through-end-of-term-5f4e23d7
Silver Bulletin: https://www.natesilver.net/p/trump-approval-ratings-nate-silver-bulletin
Race to the White House: https://www.racetothewh.com/
Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Audio Producer: Max Bower
Video Producer: Peter Shevlin
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
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