Iran's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has created political problems for President Trump and his Republican Party ahead of the November midterm congressional elections. Paul Musgrave, an associate professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, said the election results will show how much room the White House has for maneuver in negotiations with Iran. A significant setback, including losing several Senate seats, could push the White House to take more unilateral action, perhaps including resuming the war. This could lead to "escalation first, then negotiations, so the U.S. doesn't look like it's surrendering, or dragging Democrats into a peace process and staining everyone's hands," Musgrave said.
Trump has made it clear in his UN General Assembly speech that he doesn't expect a deal before the midterm elections, and Iranian civilian diplomats are choosing this time to "propose something the U.S. can't accept," referring to Iran's seven-day plan to end the war.
