Washington, Nov. 9 -- US President Donald Trump has said declining public support for Israel was among the factors behind the Republican Party's heavy losses in last week's midterm elections, acknowledging growing opposition to Washington's close relationship with the country.

Asked to assess the results in an interview on Sunday, Trump cited several reasons for the Democratic takeover of both chambers of Congress, including his absence from the ballot, dissatisfaction with some Republican candidates and public opposition to the war with Iran.

"Number one, I was not on the ballot," Trump said, adding that voters had also been unhappy with some Republican candidates, including those he had endorsed.

"But there's something beyond that. The...