Iran seen as cause of Republican defeat in US midterms - NHKニュース

Iran seen as cause of Republican defeat in US midterms US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both indicated the military operations against Iran led to the Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections.

The Republican Party suffered huge losses in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in Tuesday's vote, while the Democratic Party is set to win back control of both chambers of Congress.ABC TV says of the 100 Senate seats, the Republicans are projected to win 44 and the Democrats 54.In the House, the Associated Press reports the Republicans are projected to win 147 seats and the Democrats 239 -- far above the 218 needed to secure a majority.Trump was asked by reporters on Wednesday whether the military operations against Iran were a factor in his party's defeat.He said, "I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term." Vance wrote on social media: "The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night."Meanwhile, CBS TV reported on Wednesday that Trump has been asking advisers whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should stay in his job.CBS cited sources as saying the president hasn't decided to replace Hegseth. It also said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is being floated as a possible replacement who could go through Senate confirmation in the lame-duck period and take the post when his term as governor expires in January. Trump on Wednesday denied he was considering replacing Hegseth, telling reporters, "No, I think he's doing a very good job." But the administration will have to face a Democrat-controlled Congress that's poised to step up pressure regarding the handling of Hegseth and the military operations in Iran.