President Donald Trump defended his handling of the escalating war with Iran, telling supporters he had no regrets about launching the conflict alongside Israel in late February. He argued that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon justified the costs, even as his earlier predictions of a short conflict with limited economic fallout have not materialized. Military strikes have killed senior Iranian leaders, but Iran’s government remains intact and capable of retaliating.

Trump has sent mixed signals about the prospects for diplomacy, at times suggesting a deal was close and at other moments questioning whether negotiations were worthwhile. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, contributing to elevated energy prices that administration officials acknowledge could last through the year. Trump has said renewed military strikes are possible while reviewing Iran’s latest proposal, which he indicated was unlikely to be acceptable.

The conflict has strained relations with global allies and drawn criticism at home, particularly as the administration has not sought congressional authorization beyond the statutory deadline. With the war costing billions of dollars and public opinion polls showing limited support, some members of Trump’s party have expressed concern about the political and economic consequences as midterm elections approach.