Updated

The unpopular war with Iran has become a major factor ahead of the 3 November US midterms, with reporters hosting live Q&As on its political and economic fallout. President Trump, in a Time magazine interview, deflected responsibility for misleading Americans about the war's length, dismissed low poll ratings as "fake numbers," and would not rule out declaring a state of emergency before the election. The White House also aired a new taxpayer-funded ad on Fox News celebrating Trump's decision to go to war with Iran, featuring audio of his war declaration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's warnings. In an unusual twist, Iran's IRGC published an open letter addressed directly to US midterm voters, urging them to reject what it called "liar" Trump and his administration, framing the war as reshapable through the ballot box.