FACT CHECK: Former Senator John Sununu Has Consistently Backed Trump’s War in Iran, Downplayed Economic Pain Caused to New Hampshire Families

MANCHESTER, N.H. — John Sununu falsely claimed that he’s said “for months” that “we never should have gone in” to Iran. The truth is that Sununu “has been defending” and “cheering on” Trump’s war, calling it “important and critical” and a “success,” and even said “we should” be engaged in the conflict. 

Chris Pappas offers New Hampshire voters a stark contrast to Trump-endorsed John Sununu. Pappas is the only candidate in this race who has consistently said that the war needs to end, he’s voted six times to bring this disastrous war to a close and he’s leading efforts to deliver relief at the pump. 

Get the facts below: 

FACT: John Sununu defended Trump’s war in Iran and asserted that “we should” be engaged in the conflict.

• Sununu backed Trump’s decision to enter the war in Iran saying, “We’re destroying their ability as we speak and as we should.” 

• Sununu claimed Trump’s war in Iran had been “very effective” and stated, “I do think [his] objectives are clear.”

• John Sununu called Trump’s war in Iran which has cost American taxpayers more than $47.1 billion and the lives of at least 21 servicemembers a “success.”

• When asked about the uptick in gas prices as a result of military operations in Iran, Sununu defended Trump’s operation calling the mission “important and critical.”

FACT: John Sununu downplayed the economic pain Trump’s war is causing Granite Staters while Sununu profits.

• In June, Sununu repeatedly downplayed and dodged questions about the economic burden the war is putting on Granite Staters, saying the impact has “​​been a little less” than predicted and asserting that “the impact will be even less as the price of oil goes down.”
  • Oil prices have since risen, coming within striking distance of their all-time highest levels.
  • People across New Hampshire have spent an additional $546 million on gas since the beginning of the war. That has cost the average family in New Hampshire an additional $1,029 in gas costs.
  • Families in New Hampshire spent an additional $140 on electricity in 2025 under President Trump than they did in 2024. And, in just the first seven months of 2026, they spent an additional $220 on electricity than they did in the first seven months of 2024.
  • Home heating oil prices in New Hampshire are at record highs. As this war continues, the average household will pay 39% more for home heating oil, meaning it will now cost a family $1,494 to fill their heating oil tank, $610 more than at this time last year. 

• Granite Staters are footing the bill for Trump’s war all while Sununu profits from sizable investments in Big Oil companies like Exxon Mobil and Shell and received over $80,000 in campaign contributions from the industry. 

FACT: Chris Pappas voted 6 times to end Trump’s war and is leading the effort to deliver relief at the pump.

• Pappas is fighting to rein in Trump’s reckless war in Iran and repeatedly voted to reassert Congress’s authority to oversee and approve the deployment of U.S. military power abroad.

• Pappas is leading the fight to provide relief at the pump and lower costs for Granite State families and small businesses by temporarily suspending the federal gas tax.

• Pappas also wrote bipartisan legislation to cut taxes for middle class families grappling with high energy costs, which would save households hundreds of dollars a year on energy.

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