Obama hits Trump on Iran war and prices as US midterm vote nears

Former US President Barack Obama has taken his case to voters in Ohio and Michigan, blaming President Donald Trump's war with Iran and his economic policies for the rising cost of living as Americans prepare to vote in the November 3 midterm elections.

Speaking at rallies on Saturday, Obama said the current president made a series of bad decisions, including starting what he called an unnecessary war. He told supporters the election was a chance to rein in what he described as the administration's excesses.

The midterms will decide which party controls the US Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate, for the rest of Trump's term. That in turn affects how easily he can push his legislative agenda.

Why prices matter to voters

Fuel and grocery costs have become a central issue in the campaign. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted earlier this month found that about 78 per cent of Americans blamed Trump's policies for price increases outpacing their earnings.

Obama acknowledged that cost-of-living worries hurt Democrats in the 2024 presidential election, but argued that Trump's policies have not fixed them. He said things are more expensive now than before.

The war with Iran, launched alongside Israel nearly eight months ago, has pushed oil prices up. Tehran has targeted ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies, and Obama argued this has strengthened Iran's leverage over the waterway.

Trump, campaigning in Georgia, insisted the country was getting stronger and that pump prices would come down. He defended his tariffs as a source of government revenue and repeated a pledge of a $5,000 payment to every adult American if Republicans keep control of both chambers of Congress. The proposal would need funding and legislative backing.

White House spokesman Matt Middleton said Trump has always been clear about temporary market disruptions from the Iran conflict, adding that the contrast with Democrats' economic plans is clear.

Personal attacks and a close race

In Ohio, Obama campaigned for former senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to unseat Republican Senator Jon Husted, and for Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. He criticised a Ramaswamy campaign advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother, saying it crossed a line. Acton accused Ramaswamy of exploiting her childhood.

In Michigan, Obama backed Abdul El-Sayed, who is in a close Senate race with Republican Mike Rogers. Trump responded on Truth Social on Sunday, criticising Obama's record and urging voters to choose Rogers.

Polls suggest Democrats could win back the House, while the Senate remains much more competitive.

What happens next

Early voting is already open, and Trump cast his ballot in Florida on Saturday. The results on November 3 will shape the final two years of his presidency, including how freely he can act on Iran and other foreign policy issues.