What happened
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a significant strike on Iran to demonstrate American strength before the upcoming midterm elections. According to two White House officials, Trump has asked Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to develop options for strikes against Iran. The goal is to show voters that Trump is serious about lowering gas prices and moving towards an end to the Iran conflict.
The President's favorability numbers have declined since the strikes began in February, with Democrats now favored to take back the House and potentially regain the Senate. Soaring gas prices, which have reached record highs, could also impact the midterm elections. A new poll found Trump's approval rating at 32 percent, with 44 percent of voters preferring Democratic candidates.
The conflict in the Middle East, now in its eighth month, has driven up global oil prices, with gasoline prices exceeding $4 a gallon. Only about a third of Americans approve of the strikes on Iran, and some Republican Senate candidates have publicly urged Trump to end the war.
The size and targets of the potential strikes are still being debated and developed by US Central Command, and no final decision has been made. However, officials acknowledge that the strikes alone may not lead to negotiations with Iran or lower gas prices, but could make the President appear to have achieved a win.
