The Trump administration is touting massive success so far in Operation Epic Fury, the massive military effort in Iran that has already decimated the regime's leadership and military capabilities. But at the same time, political and economic pressures are building back home due to the negative impacts of the war effort, like surging oil and gas prices, and stock market volatility. A Fox News editorial cites "financial pain and economic uncertainty" threatening to derail the effort in Iran. This week, after crude oil surged to a four-year high and the markets saw multiple days of big losses, President Trump signaled the war "could end soon," which immediately brought oil prices back down and settled the markets.
Still, the president has been careful not to give a specific time frame for ending the conflict, noting only the U.S. will decide when all of our military objectives have been achieved. But it's clear Trump is moving toward wrapping things up. "He doesn't want to leave before the mission is completed, but I think on the economy there definitely is some pressure," says Jeff Crouere, host and political analyst. "It already is a tough situation this year for Republicans to hold onto Congress, you add to that the dynamic of surging gas prices...and no matter how much success they have in Iran, people will vote their pocketbook."
"That is gonna determine who wins in November, the economy."
For that reason, Crouere believes the operation in Iran will draw to a close sooner rather than later, with Trump declaring victory and pivoting back to the economy well ahead of the midterm election. "I think the president knows very well that this thing needs to be concluded," says Crouere. "The focus needs to be on the economy, the jitters need to be settled, and gas prices need to be coming down...otherwise, we're looking at the potential of a real problem for Republicans in the fall."
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