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

13 Sep 2026 · 27 min

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

0:00 26:57

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: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The answer to Trump’s midterm woes? Make the campaign all about him

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-republican-midterms-convention-address-analysis/

‘Common sense’ Democrat praises Trump at Republican midterm convention

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/democrat-john-fetterman-praises-trump-republican-convention/

Trump: I’ll give $5,000 to every American if we win midterms

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-convention-speech-promise-5000-dollars-midterms-win/

Rubio and Vance ‘think Iran war could last beyond the end of Trump’s term’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/10/white-house-iran-war-trump-term/

Trump makes his last stand

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/11/republican-party-convention-midterms-trump-last-stand/

Trump’s Top Advisers Confront Possibility That Iran War Lasts Through End of Term

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trumps-top-advisers-confront-possibility-that-iran-war-lasts-through-end-of-term-5f4e23d7

Silver Bulletin: https://www.natesilver.net/p/trump-approval-ratings-nate-silver-bulletin

Race to the White House: https://www.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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