Just hours before Americans head to the polls for the midterm elections, the United States reportedly launched fresh strikes on Iran. Washington says the attacks were limited and defensive. But why strike now?

The Trump administration had previously voiced optimism that talks with Iran could lead to progress on ending the war. Could the strikes influence elections that will shape the final chapter of Trump's presidency?

DW's Anja Kueppers-McKinnon speaks to US journalist and analyst Gordon Robison and to Iran expert Rowena Binti Abdul Razak from SOAS University of London.