Six Months Into Iran War: Costly Stalemate for US — SkimNews
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- US and Israeli strikes launched Feb 28 killed Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the opening days; what was billed as a weeks-long campaign has become a six-month stalemate, with the latest escalation on Aug 30 seeing US strikes on Iran's Larak Island and Iran counter-striking two US bases in Jordan.
- The conflict has cost an estimated US$100 billion and strained US munitions stockpiles, with IISS senior fellow Paul Fraioli saying sustained naval presence at the necessary tempo is "difficult" for the US Navy to maintain continuously.
- The Strait of Hormuz's effective closure has triggered a global energy crisis, spiking US petrol prices and disproportionately hitting Asian economies reliant on Middle Eastern oil and gas — potentially pushing countries toward alternative energy sources, per RUSI's Petras Katinas.
- Donald Trump's approval rating fell to 33% (with 64% disapproving) in a Reuters/Ipsos poll concluded Aug 17 — the lowest of his presidency — with the November midterms looming as Republicans fight to retain the House.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened sanctions on countries refusing to cut economic ties with Iran, calling it "economic asphyxiation"; China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded that the China-Iran relationship "should not be disrupted or undermined" after the US sanctioned Chinese entities and threatened a major financial institution.
- Iran still possesses enriched uranium, and Washington's stated objective of preventing a nuclear weapon remains unresolved six months into the conflict.
Why it matters: The Iran war has crossed from foreign policy gamble into domestic political liability: Trump holds just 33% approval, US$100B has been spent, and the economic-pressure strategy risks detonating the fragile US-China trade truce — Beijing said it would defend with "all necessary measures."
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