Iran targets US midterm voters with war cost messaging

Iranian officials are directing messages to the American public ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, emphasizing the economic impact of the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has used social media to highlight rising inflation and energy costs, challenging US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the state of the economy.

Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to record-high diesel prices of $6.33 per gallon and gas prices of $4.33 per gallon. These energy costs have fueled broader inflation, prompting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates despite President Trump’s calls for cuts to stimulate economic activity.

The US midterm elections are viewed as a potential turning point in the conflict, with Democrats mounting a strong challenge in congressional races. If Democrats gain control of Congress, they could push for measures to curb presidential war powers, including withholding funding for the military campaign, though President Trump has dismissed the vote’s impact on his Iran policy.

Read the full story at aljazeera.com.