Trump says he would repeat Iran attack despite election loss

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would repeat the joint military offensive against Iran, despite his party losing its congressional majority in recent elections.

In a televised interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," the US president spoke to correspondent Ross Douthat. Trump stated, "I am emphatic yes (I would do it again) because you can't allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon." He argued that while the decision might not be good for the immediate present, he believes it will be viewed positively in history.

The president acknowledged that the war weighed heavily on voters. He noted that citizens "did not like the war" and "did not like the fact that the gas went up." Trump also pointed to "great dissatisfaction" regarding Israel, the nation that launched the offensive alongside the United States. He clarified that he is not at odds with Vice President JD Vance, who recently blamed the conflict for the Republican losses.

Trump indicated that he does not seek to escalate the conflict. "I'm not looking to (escalate the war). I don't think there is any reason (to do that)," he told Douthat. Hours before this broadcast, he told CNN that resuming large-scale attacks is "very unlikely" if progress is made in negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to the press just before the interview aired. He described ongoing negotiations with Iran as "not productive" because the Islamic Republic has presented "unacceptable" demands. Rubio's comments underscore the current diplomatic friction between Washington and Tehran.

The conflict has lasted for eight months since the start of the US and Israeli offensive. The war remains in a stalemate, with no major military operations and no breakthrough in peace talks. Iranian forces continue to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.