US midterm primary season kicks off in shadow of Iran war
Al Jazeera
Primaries will determine party candidates in November race to control the US Congress, giving an early window into voter sentiment.
The 2026 primary season, in which voters in the United States determine which candidates will represent the major Republican and Democratic political parties in the November midterm elections, has begun in earnest with votes in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas.
The polls kicked off just four days after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, sparking a regional war that has seen Iran launch retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. The fighting has so far left hundreds dead, including at least 787 in Iran, six members of the US military, and several civilians across the Gulf.
At the same time, the war has touched on several issues expected to dominate the US midterm season, with Democrats hammering concerns over US affordability and Republicans seeking to square US President Donald Trump’s “America First” vows with the latest military adventurism.
The outcome of Tuesday’s election will give an early temperature of the US electorate ahead of the midterm vote, which will determine whether Republicans maintain their slim control over both the US Senate and the House of Representatives.
One of the biggest tests will be in Texas, where Democrats have long hoped to win a statewide office, something they have not done since 1994.
Analysts say the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran appear to breach the UN Charter’s prohibition on aggression.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has warned European countries against joining the ongoing war with Israel and the US.
NATO Chief Mark Rutte says the world is “better off” with Iran’s Supreme Leader gone.
South Africa were defeated finalists in 2024 and are no strangers to last-four exits, but take an unbeaten run to the semifinals.
The CIA shared location intel with Israel that moved the timing of the strikes forward according to US media reports.
As US-Israeli attacks continue, watchdog says ‘no radiological consequence expected’.
Gulf countries have accused Iran of targeting civilian infrastructure such as hotels and airports as tensions escalate in the region.
Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from the site of an Israeli attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
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