Trump’s aides are telling him to focus on saving his seat

US President Donald Trump is taking historic steps in the Middle East to invade Iran. The country's armed forces have already made preparations that surpass those made before the 2003 Iraq invasion. At any time, at Trump's command, US warplanes will fly towards Tehran and missiles will land on the Islamic Republic's soil.

Trump wants to bring Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's country under his control at any cost and change the country's regime. But his aides say otherwise. They fear that Trump's power may be more shaky than Khamenei's.

The US midterm elections in November are approaching, and the fear of the ruling Republicans' defeat in this election war is constantly intensifying. Because Trump is being controversial with one big decision after another, the country's court declared the tariffs imposed worldwide as illegal on Friday. In addition, the inability to control commodity prices and the gradual decline in the standard of living of Americans are reducing the popularity of Republicans.

And if Trump's party really loses the upcoming election, he will become an uncrowned king. Trump himself has repeatedly said publicly that he may even be impeached. For these reasons, Trump's aides have urged him to focus on saving his chair instead of thinking about attacking Iran.

According to a Reuters report, Trump has brought the United States to the brink of war with Iran, although his advisers are urging him to pay more attention to voters' economic concerns. This clearly highlights the political risks of escalating military tensions before this year's midterm elections.

Trump has ordered a large troop buildup in the Middle East and preparations for possible weeks of air strikes against Iran. However, he has not yet explained to the American people the detailed reasons why he is taking the United States to this most aggressive step against the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.

Trump’s obsession with Iran has been the most prominent example of his agenda in the first 13 months of his second term. While domestic issues like the cost of living are a high priority for most Americans, according to opinion polls, Trump’s foreign policy and the extensive use of military force have often overshadowed them.

Despite Trump’s bellicose rhetoric, a senior White House official said there is still “no unified support” within the administration for attacking Iran.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Trump’s advisers are careful not to send a “misleading message” to undecided voters who are more concerned about the economy.

White House advisers and Republican campaign officials want Trump to focus on the economy, which has been a major campaign issue, according to a person who attended a private briefing this week with numerous cabinet secretaries. Trump was not there.

A second White House official said Trump's foreign policy has "directly delivered victories for the American people." The official added that the president's actions prioritize "America First" — whether it's making the world safer or delivering economic benefits for the country.

The November election will determine whether Trump's Republican Party retains control of both houses of Congress. Losing control of one or both houses would be a major challenge for the opposition Democrats in the final years of Trump's presidency. Republican strategist Rob Godfrey said a prolonged conflict with Iran could pose a major political risk for Trump and his fellow Republicans.

Godfrey said the president must keep in mind the political base that helped him win the Republican nomination three times in a row and is still with him. The group is skeptical of foreign conflicts and involvement on foreign soil, as ending the "perpetual war" was one of its clear campaign promises.

Republicans plan to build on the personal tax cuts approved by Congress last year, as well as programs to lower housing and some prescription drug prices.

A stronger enemy than Venezuela

Despite some dissent, many in Trump's isolationist "Make America Great Again" movement supported the surprise operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month. But he risks facing even greater obstacles if he pushes the United States into war with Iran, which is far more powerful than Venezuela.

Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to strike if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program, reiterated his warning on Friday. He said Tehran would be better off negotiating a “fair deal.”

The United States targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities last June, and Iran has threatened to retaliate if attacked again with “severe retaliation.”

In 2024,