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Trump Aides Seek Quiet Iran War Before Midterm Elections
Some people working for President Trump want the Iran war to stay smaller until after the November elections.
They worry that a bigger war could make voters more unhappy with Republicans.
The administration is using sanctions and economic pressure to try to make Iran negotiate.
However, the United States and Iran have continued attacking each other.
Iran has fired missiles, and the United States has struck Iranian targets.
The military has also used many of its precision missiles and may need time to rebuild supplies.
President Trump says Iran would face a much stronger attack if it retaliates.
The situation could become a larger war even if the administration wants to avoid that.
Trump aides are seeking to prevent the Iran conflict from escalating before the November 3 midterm elections.
The administration is emphasizing sanctions and economic pressure after months of military action failed to secure negotiations.
Recent U.S. and Iranian strikes have challenged efforts to keep the conflict relatively contained.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 31% approved of the war and 63% disapproved, while Trump’s approval fell to 33%.
Military supply concerns, political pressure and uncertain Iranian responses could push the conflict back toward full-scale air war.
- Who
- The Trump administration, Iran, U.S. military officials, Republican lawmakers and American voters are involved.
- What
- Trump aides are trying to limit escalation in the Iran conflict while increasing economic pressure and sanctions.
- Where
- The conflict involves Iran, U.S. and allied targets around the Strait of Hormuz, Larak Island, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
- When
- The strategy is intended to hold through the November 3 midterm elections; the war has entered its seventh month.
- Why
- Aides want to avoid an unpopular war dominating the elections, replenish military supplies and pressure Iran into future negotiations.
Supporters of Keeping Conflict Contained
Critics and Escalation Pressures
Political and military pause
Supporters of Keeping Conflict Contained
Trump aides favor keeping the conflict relatively quiet until the November elections to prevent the war from worsening Republican losses and to replenish munitions.
Critics and Escalation Pressures
Critics and military assessments warn that prolonging the war could be unsustainable and reduce readiness in other theaters.
Economic pressure versus military action
Supporters of Keeping Conflict Contained
The administration says sanctions, economic isolation and the Strait of Hormuz blockade could force Iran back to negotiations without immediately returning to large-scale military action.
Critics and Escalation Pressures
Analysts say decades of sanctions have not deterred Iran, China has not joined the isolation effort, and economic pressure could cause Iran to retaliate militarily.
Whether elections are shaping policy
Supporters of Keeping Conflict Contained
White House sources said the election calendar is influencing the strategy, with one official saying the calendar is driving Iran policy.
Critics and Escalation Pressures
Trump has publicly said the upcoming elections are not a factor in his Iran strategy, and he has threatened a much stronger attack if Iran retaliates.
Key facts
- Election date
- November 3
- Conflict duration
- The war has entered its seventh month.
- War approval
- 31% approved and 63% disapproved in a late-August Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- Trump approval
- His approval rating fell from 40% to 33% after the conflict began, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.
- U.S. strategy
- The administration is intensifying sanctions and economic isolation while maintaining a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
- Military concern
- Reuters reported that the military had used virtually all of certain precision missiles.
- Recent attacks
- The United States struck Iranian targets near Larak Island and the Strait of Hormuz; Iran fired missiles toward Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Quotes
White House official
An unnamed White House official familiar with the administration’s Iran strategy
“If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings.”
theprint.in
“The regime has every incentive to disrupt the ‘calm’ – which is no real calm, after all, since the administration’s explicit aim is to increase economic pressure massively on Iran.”
theprint.in
Sources
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