Washington, Nov. 6 -- Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has dismissed claims by the Trump administration that the Republican Party's defeat in the 2026 midterm elections was driven by opposition to the war against Iran, arguing instead that the election outcome was a direct voter repudiation of Donald Trump's handling of the economy.

Speaking with ANI, Bolton rejected the suggestions that the midterm results represented a backlash against military action in the Middle East and insisted voters were focused on cost-of-living concerns and governance.

"It wasn't a rejection of the war against Iran. Nor was it an acknowledgement that it would be okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons," Bolton said. "I think people saw that Trump...