US Election 2026 LIVE Updates: Iran war weighs on midterm vote
Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran has reached its ninth month. Unlike earlier short US operations, it is settling into a longer fight. Oil, petrol and diesel prices have risen and stayed high, adding to inflation. The Strait of Hormuz has become a low-intensity war zone, limiting supplies of fertilisers and liquefied natural gas. Iranian drones and missiles have hit US bases in the Gulf. The Ukraine war continues as well, and Trump’s approach to Russia has drawn criticism at home and from European allies. If Republicans lose Congress, the next steps remain unclear.
-BBC
US Midterm Elections 2026 LIVE: Democrats push turnout in Georgia suburbs
Volunteer Cheryl has knocked on at least 1,000 doors since March in Georgia. She says many voters, including some independents and Republicans, are focused on President Trump and the high cost of living. In Roswell, independent Sally said she is voting for all Democrats because she wants politicians who will “stand up to Trump”. Suburbs like this will be watched closely on Tuesday.
-BBC
US Midterm Elections 2026 LIVE: Trump shows Reflecting Pool work on eve of midterms
President Trump spent Monday at the Lincoln Memorial rather than on the campaign trail. He held up a poster of the algae-clogged Reflecting Pool while music played and promoted the renovations. Republicans were fighting to keep control of Congress. Strategist Doug Heye said the setting was “bizarre and being very self-focused” and of little help to undecided voters.
-AP
US Midterm Elections 2026 LIVE: Supreme Court rejects Trump request on California mail ballots
The Supreme Court has turned down the Trump administration’s request for California to set aside about 20,000 mail ballots ahead of the midterms. The administration said the ballots were sent to non-citizens. The court refused the application, so the ballots remain valid as voting begins.
-AP
US Midterm Elections 2026 LIVE: Trump signals possible Iran deal ahead of US midterm elections
US President Donald Trump has suggested that a deal with Iran could be reached soon, claiming that Tehran wants a settlement “as soon as possible” in a post on Truth Social on Monday, November 2.
“It could happen!” Trump wrote, while claiming that oil prices were “DROPPING LIKE A ROCK”.
Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism about the possibility of negotiations, telling reporters that he and Trump “both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement”.
The comments come a day before US voters head to the polls for the November 3 midterm elections. The Iran conflict has contributed to higher fuel and household costs, making the war an economic concern during the campaign. Oil prices fell sharply on Monday amid renewed hopes of a US-Iran agreement.
-BBC
US Midterm Elections 2026 LIVE: Mike Johnson says polls miss GOP enthusiasm at Virginia rally
Mike Johnson says polls miss GOP enthusiasm at Virginia rally
US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday dismissed polls showing Democrats with an edge in key congressional races, saying they did not reflect Republican enthusiasm on the ground.
Johnson was speaking at a campaign event in suburban Richmond, Virginia, in support of Republican Representative Rob Wittman, who faces Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor in the state's 1st Congressional District.
“I’m telling you: Dismiss the polls; dismiss the pundits,” Johnson told supporters gathered at a restaurant.
Wittman, who has represented the district since 2007, is facing one of the toughest re-election campaigns of his congressional career. Johnson praised his experience, calling him a “steady hand at the wheel” and a hard worker, and predicted he would win re-election on Tuesday.
-AP
US Midterm Elections 2026 LIVE: Vance says US has no strict deadline for Iran nuclear deal
US Vice President JD Vance has said the Trump administration has not set a strict deadline for Iran to reach an agreement to avoid a possible resumption of US strikes.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s US midterm elections, Vance said Washington’s main concern was securing a firm and verifiable commitment from Tehran that it would not rebuild its nuclear programme.
“We want to make sure they don’t rebuild it or try to rebuild it. That’s what matters most to the United States,” Vance said.
Vance said he believed Iran placed importance on its sovereignty and economic recovery, adding that an agreement was possible if Tehran made a verifiable commitment on its nuclear programme.
Trump has said in recent weeks that he does not plan to launch fresh strikes on Iran before the US midterm elections.
-AP
