US fears Iran war could drag into 2029. Trump insists it’s ‘worth it’

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: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC…

CONTENT REFERENCED:
The answer to Trump’s midterm woes? Make the campaign all about him
telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-r…

‘Common sense’ Democrat praises Trump at Republican midterm convention
telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/democra…

Trump: I’ll give $5,000 to every American if we win midterms
telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-c…

Rubio and Vance ‘think Iran war could last beyond the end of Trump’s term’
telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/10/white-house…

Trump makes his last stand
telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/11/republi…

Trump’s Top Advisers Confront Possibility That Iran War Lasts Through End of Term
wsj.com/world/middle-east/trumps-top-advisers-…

Silver Bulletin: natesilver.net/p/trump-approval-ratings-nate-s…

Race to the White House: 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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