# US-Iran military conflict and political fallout > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-iran-military-conflict-and-political-fallout > Updated: 2026-08-25T11:35:50.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. The conflict with Iran, involving military actions such as ‘Operation Epic Fury’ launched in late February 2026, has caused significant geopolitical and economic instability. Reports indicate that prior to the conflict, former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned President Donald Trump that assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could lead to a more hardline regime and that Tehran might respond by closing the Strait of Hormuz. Following the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has restricted passage through the Strait, resulting in global energy market disruptions and increased fuel prices. As the U.S. midterm elections approach, the war has become a point of political contention. White House insiders have reportedly advised Republican candidates to distance themselves from the administration’s war messaging due to negative polling and the absence of a clear winning strategy. This reflects internal divisions within the Republican Party, as some lawmakers have criticized the commencement of the conflict without congressional approval. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Tulsi Gabbard warned Trump against war with Iran Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard reportedly warned President Trump against war with Iran, predicting regime hardening and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz before Operation Epic Fury began. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tulsi-gabbard-warned-trump-against-war-with-iran ### 2026-07-26: Trump allies advise GOP candidates to avoid Iran war talk before midterms Trump insiders are urging GOP candidates to steer clear of the president’s Iran war messaging ahead of the midterm elections, citing negative polls and internal party splits. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-allies-advise-gop-candidates-to-avoid-iran-war-talk-before-midterms --- Cite as: US-Iran military conflict and political fallout. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-iran-military-conflict-and-political-fallout