Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s war against Iran on Sunday, days after Vice President JD Vance blamed the conflict for Republicans’ devastating midterm losses, as the White House confronts an unresolved standoff with Tehran.
“I think the president took on something that other presidents have failed to do. Sometimes, when you do the right thing, you don’t know whether it’s popular or not, but it’s still the right thing to do. Presidents are elected to take on the hard things, sometimes difficult things, but necessary things,” Rubio said Sunday.
Vance made his argument in a post on X last week.
“The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,” Vance wrote last week.Â
“But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there,” he added.Â
VANCE REFUSES TO PUT A CLOCK ON IRAN CONFLICT AS KEY QUESTION KEEPS US FORCES ENGAGED
Vance cited an unnamed pollster in the X post who said voters who had abandoned the GOP wanted the administration to end the conflict, address inflation and the cost of living, put America first and change its relationship with Israel.
The vice president’s argument that the war was the primary driver of Republicans’ losses, however, is complicated by polling. The Fox News Voter Poll found that 89% of voters considered the cost of living a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote, compared with 74% who said the same about the war in Iran. The findings suggest broader economic frustrations were also a major concern among voters, although the two issues may overlap and the polling does not establish which ultimately drove Republican defections.
Fox News Digital contacted Vance’s office five times seeking clarification on whether ending the conflict would mean lifting the blockade, withdrawing American forces or securing new concessions from Tehran, but received no response.
The contrasting assessments come as Republicans begin looking ahead to 2028, with Trump naming Rubio as a possible presidential contender during an interview with CBS.
Some longtime Trump donors are reportedly expressing doubts about backing Vance in 2028, fearing his ties to the Trump administration and the GOPs devastating midterm losses could hurt his presidential prospects, with some floating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans as alternatives, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Meanwhile, Trump and Vance are pursuing another diplomatic opening with Iran, with Qatar mediating talks over a possible agreement that could ease the U.S. blockade and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Monday to discuss mediation efforts and potential terms for ending the conflict with Iran.
Rubio expressed skepticism Sunday that negotiations were nearing a breakthrough, arguing that Iran’s demands remained unrealistic. Vance has been personally involved in indirect talks with Iranian representatives through regional mediators in recent weeks, according to Axios.
“Im not in a political office,” Rubio told reporters Sunday when asked about the midterm results. “As you know, I just dont comment on domestic politics.”
Trump initially projected that Operation Epic Fury, launched against Iran in February, would involve four to five weeks of combat operations. More than eight months later, the broader confrontation continues despite the end of major U.S. combat operations in April.
After a June Memorandum of Understanding with Iran failed to produce a lasting resolution, the Trump administration returned to economic and military pressure, with renewed limited strikes, continued maritime tensions
