Trump Faces Mounting Pressure Amid Stalled Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump of the United States is facing increasing pressure from both adversaries and allies concerning his approach toward Iran, a situation that initially seemed like a brief military engagement but has settled into a tense stalemate.

Negotiators from the U.S. and Iran reached a provisional agreement nearly a week ago to extend the ceasefire in the conflict for 60 days and start new discussions about Iran’s nuclear program, requiring Trump’s approval. However, Trump has called for unspecified changes to the agreement. Iranian officials, likely gauging Trump’s reluctance to resume bombings after depleting crucial weapons systems, seem unlikely to meet these new demands.

This week’s series of attacks by Washington and Tehran has raised concerns that the ceasefire might collapse. Trump downplayed its significance during a statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the uniqueness of this part of the world.

Since agreeing to a 14-day ceasefire on April 7, following 38 days of U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran, Trump has repeatedly suggested that an agreement could be underway. He even mentioned the possibility of reaching an accord by the weekend.

Without a provisional deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, global energy prices remain high, exacerbating worldwide anxiety over the rising costs of goods, fuel, and other essentials due to the three-month-long conflict.

After reports indicated stalled talks on Iran’s part, Trump told CNBC that the negotiations were “boring” and seemed indifferent to the impasse.

Concerns Over Trump’s Position

Within the government and among key advisors and allies, there is growing concern that Trump is in a bind, as per a U.S. official and a person familiar with internal discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Democrats are capitalizing on high oil prices to exert pressure, as hawkish base members warn that an early exit from the conflict would equate to giving up.

Republican legislators, Pentagon officials, and Gulf allies privately advise against resuming military action, noting the rapid consumption of munitions. Replenishing key weapons systems could take three years. Gulf allies also fear Iranian retaliation impacting their critical infrastructure and energy interests, potentially delaying economic recovery.

Trump resists adopting an agreement resembling the 2015 nuclear pact negotiated by Democrat Barack Obama’s administration. That pact aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting international economic sanctions.

During his first term, Trump discarded the agreement, criticizing its inability to permanently halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions and insufficiently addressing Iran’s ballistic missile development and support for armed groups across the Middle East.

Trump is determined not to conclude a “bad deal” and remains acutely aware of the potential impact on his legacy with a misstep.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed notions that Trump is cornered or that there is any internal government concern about negotiation pace.

Trump Stands Firm Against Pressure From Israel

Both Israeli allies and Washington hawks have urged Trump to consider further economic pressure on Iran and support Israel’s move against Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, early this week, Trump pressed Israel to practice restraint in a heated call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Lebanon announced on Wednesday their agreement to renew the ceasefire. Hezbollah was not part of these Washington-held discussions, instead expressing condemnation of the accord.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior researcher at the Washington advocacy group Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argues Iran benefits from maintaining the current status quo—neither a full resumption of hostilities nor progressing into preliminary nuclear negotiation agreements.

Despite its weaker position, Iran seems to believe the longer the delay, the better their chance of “cornering” Trump.

Tehran seems determined to prevent Trump from claiming victory, resisting concessions in battlefield positions and negotiations alike.

Political Implications for Republicans

Democrats are attempting to capitalize on Trump’s handling of the unpopular war as the midterm elections approach. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives symbolically passed a resolution calling for the cessation of military action against Iran, with four Republicans joining Democrats in censuring Trump’s war efforts.

Trump responded dismissively, labeling the vote as meaningless. He accused Democrats of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and called the four Republican dissenters “OPPORTUNISTS” on social media.

During Capitol Hill discussions, Democrats criticized Trump for downplaying the conflict’s economic impact and for not foreseeing Iran’s closure of the Strait.

Democrat Senator Cory Booker pointed to the fragile ceasefire as evidence Iran holds the advantage, implying the U.S., despite being the global superpower, is at a stalemate.

Senator Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment that Iran has been severely hit, rendering its economy battered and multiple leadership layers eliminated.

Another Democrat, Senator Chris Van Hollen focused on Trump’s past comments regarding voter concerns about living costs, dismissing them as irrelevant motivations for achieving war’s end.

Trump continuously minimizes cost increases for Americans at gas stations, projecting a sharp decline in fuel prices post-conflict.

Christopher Borick, director of Muhlenberg College’s Institute of Public Opinion, notes that Democrats in contentious districts are already exploiting Trump’s remarks about war’s financial toll on voters.

A prolonged conflict poses significant risk for Republicans, Borick asserts, warning that its aftermath could severely impact voter perceptions and election outcomes.

For Republicans in difficult districts, immediate relief in oil markets might work in their favor; it grants time for voters to move on and potentially reshaped electoral dynamics.

Reported by Farnoush Amiri in New York and Lisa Mascaro for The Associated Press. The article was translated from English by an AP editor, with assistance from AI generative tools.