Donald Trump Defends Iran War Amid Rising Gas Prices

President Donald Trump defended the ongoing military conflict in Iran during a law-enforcement themed campaign rally in Garden City, New York. Addressing voters less than three months before midterm elections, Trump asked for patience regarding gasoline prices, which have risen to approximately $4 per gallon. He argued that these costs are a necessary trade-off to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The conflict began in June 2025 with U.S. bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities and has continued for nearly six months. While the situation is currently described as a stalemate, Trump claimed the objective of denying Iran a nuclear weapon has been fully accomplished. He admitted the military intervention was more extensive than he had originally intended.

Republican strategists have expressed concern that the increase in fuel costs is straining GOP voters. Trump's remarks follow consultations with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the decision to intervene in the Middle East.