How the war in Iran and its economic fallout could lead to Trump's defeat

[babylonsister]

How the war in Iran and its economic fallout could lead to Trump’s defeat
Eduardo Porter
The war is deeply unpopular, and the spike in oil prices will mean long-term high prices across the board for Americans
Sat 14 Mar 2026 12.32 EDT

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But however high Trump is riding, he is nonetheless facing defeat. Not military defeat against whatever is left of Iran’s armed forces. He is about to be defeated by the only power ever capable of stopping American military adventures: the opposition of the American public.

The war against Iran has been deeply unpopular from the start, an unusual twist for a nation that tends to support sending the kids off to fight, even under dubious justifications. Its economic effects are not going to help its popularity going forward.

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Trucking companies will largely pass on higher prices to customers. Farmers facing higher fuel and fertilizer prices will also slap them onto the price tag of food. Retailers and airlines will also be hit by rising fuel costs.

All this will undoubtedly show up in March’s reading on inflation, which had steadied in February to a 2.4% increase compared with a year earlier. And all this will get in the way of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, expensive gas at the pump is likely to hit sales of Americans’ beloved SUVs.

All of this will hammer Trump’s approval ratings where it hurts.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/14/trump-iran-war