President Trump confronted a worsening domestic political environment on Wednesday as the combination of soaring fuel prices, growing war fatigue, and a record-low approval rating crystallised the political cost of a conflict that showed no sign of reaching an early conclusion. A new poll found that 59% of Americans believed the war in Iran had gone too far, and Trump’s approval rating had fallen to 36% — the lowest of his presidency. The primary driver of public discontent was the sharp rise in fuel costs caused by Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil supply passes.
The diplomatic efforts underway were not providing the quick resolution the administration needed. Iran rejected a 15-point US ceasefire proposal delivered through Pakistan and submitted a five-point counter-plan with conditions Washington found unacceptable. State television broadcast an unnamed Iranian official declaring that the war would end on Iran’s terms and no one else’s. Foreign Minister Araghchi confirmed the document had reached senior leadership but said negotiations were not currently planned. The White House maintained that talks were productive and that the four-to-six-week timeline for ending the war remained operative.
The battlefield dimension of the conflict continued at full intensity. Israel struck multiple Iranian targets including a submarine development facility in Isfahan, completing several waves of attacks during the day. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles against Israel and drone attacks on Gulf nations, causing a fire at Kuwait’s international airport and prompting Saudi air defence responses. US forces had struck over 10,000 targets in Iran, destroying 92% of its largest naval vessels and severely damaging most of its missile and drone production infrastructure. More troops, including 82nd Airborne paratroopers, were being sent to the region.
Trump, speaking at a fundraiser, tried to frame the diplomatic picture positively, insisting that Iran secretly wanted a deal and was merely afraid to admit it. He confirmed that Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, and JD Vance were all in contact with Iranian parties. Iranian officials denied this. Egypt and Pakistan held out hope for direct talks by Friday, and China’s foreign minister was urging all sides toward dialogue. The White House press secretary said the overall direction was positive, pointing to Iran’s decision to submit counter-conditions as evidence of continued engagement.
Whether the political pressure could translate into a diplomatic breakthrough before the situation deteriorated further was the defining question. The administration’s Beijing visit on May 14 added external urgency. Oil markets were watching every development closely — prices had briefly fallen on news of the ceasefire proposal before Iran’s rejection brought them back up. With public support for the war declining and the economic impact spreading, Trump faced a narrowing window to deliver on his administration’s promise of a swift and decisive resolution to the conflict.