Donald Trump 'considering huge strike on Iran' to boost midterm chances
Donald Trump 'considering huge strike on Iran' to boost midterm chances Trump's poll ratings have hit a record low over the weekend. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Laura Zilincanova 13:45, Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Updated: 13:48, Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Donald Trump (Image: Getty) Donald Trump is considering a strike on Iran ahead of the US midterm election amid the President's declining approval numbers, it has been claimed. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has been asked to develop options for strikes against Iran ahead of the midterms, two White House officials told The Atlantic . The size and targets of the potential strikes are still being discussed, as well as whether the administration will eventually proceed. Proponents of limited strikes acknowledge that they wouldn't bring Iran to the negotiating table, but that they would make the Strait of Hormuz safer and lower gas prices . However, they think that the strikes could potentially give Republicans momentum ahead of the election on November 3, making the President "look like he got a win". Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT A Pentagon official didn't comment on the report, but it told the Daily Mail it is prepared "to develop and present military options to the President". Trump's poll ratings hit a record low over the weekend, with negative ratings in 39 states. Get the latest news from around the world and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Even firmly Republican seats, including Texas, Kansas and Iowa, are now being increasingly targeted by Democrats . Some believe a pre-midterm attack would show the President's determination to reduce fuel prices – although renewed fighting risks driving them up instead. Trump has previously suggested he was waiting until after the midterms before embarking on a major strategy shift in the Middle East, after rejecting Iran's latest peace offer because it's not good enough. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "I believe we'll make a deal right after the election because it doesn't make sense for them not to," he told the United Nations General Assembly on September 22. If no agreement were struck, he said, he would "annihilate the Islamic Republic". Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Horror as girl, 14, 'raped by father while mother films it' Horror as EasyJet flight to UK declares severe emergency mid-air sparking panic Gas prices in the US and abroad have soared during the eight-month-long war, a cost Trump has repeatedly said is worth it for making sure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. Some sources mentioned in The Telegraph, however, conceded that renewed strikes would not lower prices, reopen negotiations with Tehran or unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump Military Iran Midterm elections 2018 Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments