Trump Defends Iran War as Gas Prices Rise

The war with Iran has surpassed six months, contradicting initial claims by Donald Trump that the conflict would last only weeks. The prolonged military action has caused gas prices to increase by nearly $1 per gallon over the previous year, creating economic volatility ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

President Trump maintains he took the necessary steps to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and refuses to apologize for the resulting price hikes. To further isolate Tehran, his administration recently announced a new set of sanctions.

Public sentiment has shifted against the conflict, with a July AP-NORC poll indicating approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults believe the war has not been worth fighting. Democrats are utilizing these economic frustrations in campaign materials to challenge Republican incumbents, while some Republican supporters continue to view the military action as a requirement to keep Iran in check.