Vance eyes 2028 reset as Republicans mull pivot after midterm drubbing

After Republicans lost control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the midterm elections, senior party figures questioned what had gone wrong and whether a major change of direction was needed. Vice President JD Vance blamed the defeat on the war with Iran, saying former Republican voters switched sides over the conflict and US ties to Israel. US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, after which Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and a global energy crisis followed. Brent crude reached $120 a barrel in March and April and had hovered around $115 in recent weeks.