The war in Iran is taking a significant political toll on President Trump at home, with his approval rating hitting an all-time low of 36% as soaring fuel prices and mounting war casualties test the limits of American public patience. A new poll found that 59% of Americans now believe the conflict has “gone too far,” a figure that reflects a sharp and sustained erosion of support for the military campaign.
The economic dimension of the war has proven to be its most politically damaging element for the administration. The near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has created one of the worst energy crises in decades, pushing oil and petrol prices to levels that are directly felt by ordinary American households. The administration’s insistence that the war is a “resounding victory” sits uneasily alongside queues at petrol stations and anxiety about winter heating costs.
Despite the political pressure, Trump has continued to defend the war’s objectives and has insisted publicly that Iran is desperate for a deal. “They are negotiating, and they want to make a deal so badly,” he told a fundraiser audience in Washington, adding that Iranian leaders are afraid to admit it publicly for fear of domestic repercussions. The president’s optimism stands in stark contrast to public statements from Iranian officials, who say the country has no intention of negotiating on current terms.
The administration appears to be working toward an end to hostilities within its stated four-to-six-week timeframe. The rescheduling of Trump’s visit to Beijing for May 14 has been widely interpreted as a signal that Washington hopes to have the conflict wrapped up before then. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the timeframe was still operative and described the war effort as a success, even as the diplomatic situation remains in flux.
The political arithmetic is becoming increasingly uncomfortable for the White House. Historically, American presidents have been punished electorally for protracted and costly foreign conflicts, particularly when the economic impact is directly visible to voters. The administration’s best hope of reversing the approval slide is a swift diplomatic resolution — which explains the intensity with which the US is pursuing ceasefire negotiations even while continuing to bomb Iran.