In September, senior Trump administration officials held a Situation Room discussion about the Iran war’s unpopularity. Vance, Rubio and others sat around the table as top officials said disclosing continuing strikes, whether defensive or offensive, would hurt Republicans in vulnerable states. They agreed advertising the assaults wouldn’t help election prospects, according to people familiar with the discussion.

That idea was briefed to Trump, who agreed with the approach, the people said.

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