TOKYO, November 5. /TASS/. Ending the war with Iran is likely to be a priority for US President Donald Trump following his Republican Party’s defeat at the midterm congressional elections, Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior researcher at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, told a TASS.

"The war in Iran and the resulting spike in oil prices were among the major reasons for the Republicans’ defeat. Consequently, ending the war in Iran is likely to be prioritized, and the threshold for the use of military force is expected to be higher," he said.

Trump, in his words, "may use sporadic military strikes but massive military strike including the land war are very difficult to conduct due to congressional restraint as well as unpopular sentiment including MAGA (Make America Great Again - TASS) supporters."

Moreover, according to Watanabe, additional restrictions on the Trump administration will also affect the defense budget, which could become a subject of political bargaining. "With the Democrats controlling both the House and the Senate, I believe constraints will arise as the defense budget becomes a bargaining chip," the expert added.

The United States held its midterm elections on Tuesday. Voters elected primarily one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives, as well as governors in 36 states and territories. Local elections were also held. Both chambers of Congress are currently controlled by the ruling Republican Party. The next Congress, the 120th, which will be formed following the elections, will begin its work on January 3, 2027. Democrats will hold majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the new Congress.