Republicans Divided on Iran War at CPAC

While most GOP attendees back Trump's actions, some express concerns about expanding conflict.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:09pm

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At this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Republicans are divided in their views on the ongoing war with Iran. While most attendees firmly support President Trump's military actions, some have expressed hesitation about a prolonged conflict or concerns about the potential for the war to escalate. The debate is playing out during a tight midterm election cycle, where voters' views on the war and its economic impacts could influence Congressional races.

Why it matters

The Republican party's stance on the Iran war is a key issue heading into the midterm elections, as voters' perceptions of the conflict and its consequences could sway their votes. The divide within the GOP on how to approach the war also highlights the broader tensions within the party between interventionist and isolationist foreign policy factions.

The details

While the majority of Republicans at CPAC back the administration's actions in Iran, some attendees voiced concerns about the prospect of a ground invasion or a prolonged conflict. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz urged President Trump to exhaust diplomatic options before resorting to military force, warning that a ground war would make the country "poorer and less safe." Other attendees, including many Iranian-Americans, argued that toppling the Iranian regime would require boots on the ground, despite their general support for Trump's approach.

  • Last month, President Trump launched strikes against Iran.
  • Earlier this month, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned over the war, saying Iran "posed no imminent threat."

The players

President Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who has taken a hardline stance against Iran but has also suggested more modest goals for the conflict.

Rep. Nancy Mace

A Republican Congresswoman from South Carolina who has expressed "grave concerns" about the war with Iran and the lack of an "exit strategy."

Steve Bannon

The former White House strategist and campaign manager for President Trump, who has long advocated an "America First" foreign policy and has expressed wariness about the potential for the Iran conflict to escalate.

Reza Pahlavi

The former Crown Prince of Iran, whose father led the country before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and who advocates for the overthrow of the current Iranian regime.

Shahin Nezhad

A petroleum engineer from Houston who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran after the 1979 revolution, and who believes that "boots on the ground" in Iran are "probably inevitable" to topple the regime.

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What they’re saying

“A ground invasion of Iran will make our country poorer and less safe. It will mean higher gas prices, higher food prices, and I'm not sure we would end up killing more terrorists than we would create.”

— Rep. Matt Gaetz, Former Republican Congressman from Florida

“It's very obvious you cannot just get rid of these people just by civil disobedience. As a nation, what you need is big support from outside.”

— Shahin Nezhad, Petroleum engineer from Houston

“I hope Trump will be really serious about getting rid of the regime in Iran and we have a new start with the leadership of Crown Prince Pahlavi.”

— Nassar Meyman, Attendee from Dallas

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Republican party's divide on the Iran war highlights the broader tensions within the party between interventionist and isolationist foreign policy factions. As the midterm elections approach, voters' perceptions of the conflict and its economic impacts could play a significant role in determining which party controls Congress.