Iran, the midterm elections, and the war that would not end

Strait ballot voting: Iran, the midterm elections, and the war that would not end

Published October 17, 2026 8:30am ET Updated October 17, 2026 8:30am ET

On Nov. 3, Americans will elect a new House and one-third of the Senate. By then, the war with Iran will be entering its ninth month. It began before dawn on Feb. 28, when U.S. Central Command opened Operation Epic Fury and Israeli aircraft began the companion campaign Israel called Operation Roaring Lion. A spring of strikes was followed by an interim peace agreement in June, the collapse of that deal in July, and a season of blockades, tanker attacks, and talks that have not produced a settlement. Instead of ending in an unconditional surrender, the war has settled into a staring contest over a strait.