The Brian Lehrer Show Monday Morning Politics: US Goals and Iran Leadership
Mar 9, 2026
Sabrina Siddiqui, national politics reporter at The Wall Street Journal, breaks down U.S. aims in the war with Iran and the question of regime change. She discusses political pressure on Trump, shifting alliances with Russia and Gulf states, regional infrastructure attacks, and the implications of Mojtaba Khamenei's succession.
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Lindsey Graham Shaped The Push To Strike Iran
- Lindsey Graham actively lobbied Donald Trump and coached Benjamin Netanyahu to push for strikes on Iran, shaping the decision to go to war.
- Graham traveled to Israel, met intelligence officials, and even alerted Mohammed bin Salman that "this is going down."
Trump's Rhetoric Vs Actions Keeps Republican Support Intact
- Trump projects strength on foreign policy even while his rhetoric sometimes sounds isolationist, and Republicans largely give him leeway on military action.
- Sabrina Siddiqui notes polls split because Republican support raises approval despite broad public opposition to the war.
War Duration Will Drive Midterm Political Consequences
- Republican strategists warn the political impact depends on war duration; a short conflict might fade before November but a long one threatens midterm prospects.
- CENTCOM projections suggesting the war could last through September worry strategists focused on gas prices and narrow majorities.