Farage says he is worried Trump will step up Iran war after midterm ‘disaster’

Nigel Farage has expressed concern that Donald Trump may intensify his military campaign against Iran following a disappointing outcome for Republicans in the recent US midterm elections. Farage, leader of Reform UK, described Trump as still a friend but accused him of breaking a promise to the American public by initiating the conflict. The war, which the US launched in February 2026, was a significant factor influencing voter sentiment, contributing to the Democrats regaining control of Congress.

Initially, Farage had supported the war effort but now fears that Trump might respond to the electoral setback by escalating attacks on Iran. In an interview, Farage shared his worries about the potential consequences of continued aggression, highlighting the impact on global oil prices, inflation, and the economy in Western countries. Although he endorsed the initial intervention, Farage clarified that he never backed an open-ended military engagement. When asked outright if the war was a mistake, he answered, “There’s no question about it.”

Farage also reflected on Trump’s track record with promises, noting that the president “had always kept his promises,” except in this instance, where he pledged to avoid foreign wars yet found the US embroiled in a conflict for eight months with no end in sight. Farage blamed the war and the resulting fuel price hikes as key factors behind Republican losses. Trump himself acknowledged on Tuesday that the war and soaring oil prices contributed to poor results for his party’s candidates but asserted he did not regret launching a coordinated attack on Iran alongside Israel.

In a separate announcement, Reform UK introduced Angus MacIntyre as their first defence spokesperson after criticism for lacking one. MacIntyre, who recently retired from a 40-year military career including service as a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force, promised to halt prosecutions of serving military personnel and veterans within the first 100 days of a Reform government. Farage stated that MacIntyre would be part of a broader team to address defence, security, and cybersecurity issues for the party, responding to previous critiques from figures such as Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch