Iran conflict drives US inflation, drags Trump ratings ahead of midterm elections

The U.S.-Israel war on Iran is reverberating across America, driving gas prices to a four‑year high, fueling inflation, and dragging President Donald Trump’s approval ratings to historic lows as voters brace for November’s midterm elections.

Launched in late February, the conflict has triggered price hikes and protests at home. Consumer inflation rose 3.3 percent in March, the sharpest monthly increase since 2022, while fuel costs surged nationwide.

The strain is now reflected in opinion polls. Trump’s ratings have fallen to historic lows as exports remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipping. Surveys show Democrats positioned to retake the House and with a solid chance of gaining the Senate.

Traditionally, U.S. politics is shaped by local issues, but this year international events dominate. Trump has responded with confidence, touting economic growth and insisting the Iran war will not derail the economy.

However, American households face rising costs even as energy and technology sectors continue to boom. From Indiana to Illinois, the economic pain is spreading, and it could prove decisive as voters head to the polls in November.

Iran's Organization for Renovation, Development, and Equipment of Schools, reported on Sunday that a total of 1,486 schools and educational units were demolished or damaged in the military actions launched by the United States and Israel against the country.

Hamidreza Khan Mohammadi, head of the organization, said that attacks have struck 153 districts across 22 provinces in Iran, with 11 schools completely destroyed, while 1,489 schools and educational facilities -- including 1,214 schools and 275 educational spaces -- sustained partial or total damage.