Two weeks into war with Iran, Trump faces political backlash

Rising oil prices, economic turmoil, and criticism from both parties undermine Trump's Iran policy

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:18am

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In the two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump has faced growing political challenges. He has struggled to explain the reasons for the war and how he plans to end it, as the conflict has led to American deaths, surging oil prices, and dropping financial markets. Trump's supporters and even some Republicans are questioning his strategy, while Democrats are using the economic turmoil to attack the GOP ahead of the midterm elections.

Why it matters

The Iran conflict has become a major political liability for Trump, undermining his claims of success and creating economic headaches that could hurt the Republican Party in the midterm elections. The war has also empowered Russia, which is benefiting from rising oil prices and the easing of some sanctions, undercutting years of efforts to constrain Putin's ability to wage war in Ukraine.

The details

Trump has grown increasingly agitated with media coverage of the conflict and has threatened to pull broadcast licenses unless outlets "correct course." He has also suggested the U.S. will need to rely on the international community to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, a major global oil chokepoint that Iran has threatened to close. However, it's unclear if a multi-nation effort to secure the strait has actually begun. The Treasury Department also announced a 30-day waiver on Russian sanctions, a move that has drawn criticism from allies like Ukraine as empowering Putin.

  • The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran two weeks ago.
  • The death toll for U.S. soldiers in the Iran war rose this past week.
  • Trump attended a closed-door fundraiser for his MAGA Inc. super PAC at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who launched the strikes on Iran.

Vladimir Putin

The President of Russia, whose country is benefiting from rising oil prices and the easing of some sanctions due to the Iran conflict.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President of Ukraine, who criticized the U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russia as empowering Putin.

Rand Paul

A Republican Senator from Kentucky who suggested the GOP could face a "disastrous election" if gas and oil prices remain high.

Kelly Dietrich

The CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee, who said the past two weeks show the Trump administration has failed at long-term planning.

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What they’re saying

“Easing sanctions 'not the right decision' and 'certainly does not help peace' because it leads to a 'strengthening of Russia's position.'”

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This conflict has become a major political liability for Trump, undermining his claims of success and creating economic headaches that could hurt the Republican Party in the midterm elections. The war has also empowered Russia, which is benefiting from rising oil prices and the easing of some sanctions, undercutting years of efforts to constrain Putin's ability to wage war in Ukraine.