President Donald Trump says he has no regrets about the U.S. war with Iran, even as rising fuel prices and economic concerns threaten to become major political issues ahead of November’s midterm elections.
In an interview published Thursday, Trump defended his decision to enter the conflict and said he would make the same decision again.
His comments come as the economic consequences of the war are becoming increasingly visible to Americans, with oil prices above $100 per barrel and fuel costs climbing across the country.
Trump Defends Decision on Iran
Asked whether he regretted going to war with Iran given the potential political consequences, Trump rejected the suggestion.
He maintained that confronting Iran was the right decision and indicated that concerns about the midterm elections would not change his position.
Trump has also predicted that the conflict could end immediately after the November elections, although uncertainty remains over how long military operations may continue.
Fuel Prices Add Pressure
The political stakes are growing as energy prices rise.
Brent crude has been trading above $100 per barrel, while U.S. diesel prices have climbed sharply as disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies continue.
Higher oil prices can eventually affect much more than prices at the pump. Transportation, manufacturing and shipping costs can rise, potentially putting additional pressure on consumer prices.
That could make inflation and energy costs increasingly important issues for voters heading into the midterms.
Iran War Becomes a Domestic Political Issue
The conflict is no longer only a foreign-policy challenge for the White House.
As Americans face higher fuel costs, Republicans could increasingly be forced to defend the administration’s Iran strategy while campaigning on the economy.
Trump, however, is showing no sign that political pressure will change his approach.
With the U.S.–Iran confrontation continuing and global energy markets under pressure, the coming weeks could determine whether the conflict becomes one of the defining issues of the 2026 midterm elections.