US Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the Iran war was “the reason we lost” the midterm elections, distancing himself from the unpopular conflict ahead of a possible 2028 White House run, Dawn reported, citing AFP.

“The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,” Vance wrote on X — apparently referring to President Donald Trump’s remarks that the Iran war was “part of it” but still justified.

“If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest,” Vance added. “But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there.”

Tuesday’s Democratic wave has raised major questions over Vance’s previous status as the frontrunner for the 2028 Republican nomination. He has not yet formally declared a run. A longtime critic of US foreign interventionism, Vance had reportedly been sceptical behind the scenes about the war Trump and Israel launched in late February.

Vance also acknowledged that Republican voters who backed Trump and himself two years ago switched sides because of the war and its effects on the US economy. “The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026,” the vice president said.

He cited a pollster he respects who found Iran and the economy were key factors; top answers from voters who might return to Republicans were ending the war, cost of living/inflation, America First, and changing the relationship with Israel.

Shortly after Vance’s post, Trump said it was “largely true” that the war caused his defeat, tying it to a short-term rise in gasoline prices, but insisted he would do it again: “You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.” He ruled out firing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the Iran war “must end” and suggested his party’s incoming majority in Congress could use control over government funding to press that goal.

Source: US Vice President JD Vance says Iran war is 'the reason we lost' midterms (Dawn / AFP)