GOP faces new alarm over Iran as ceasefire implodes

The intensifying military conflict with Iran and its impact on gas prices is sparking fresh alarm among GOP lawmakers, who are urging President Trump to find a way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible to avoid an angry backlash from voters.

Oil prices have soared again since a ceasefire with Iran started to fall apart two weeks ago and Americans are now paying more than four dollars a gallon for gasoline, on average, across the United States.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Monday said getting the strait open to cargo traffic as soon as possible is a critical objective.

“That to me is the key consideration in all this,” Thune said of the need to reopen the strait immediately. “What the president is insisting on is the strait be open. The Iranians are violating international law by having blockades there.”

“That’s going to be key to all these economic questions that are being raised,” he added.

Thune has emphasized for months the importance of immediately opening the critical waterway, but the likelihood of doing so has grown more remote in recent days.

Senate Republicans warn the war is creating strong political headwinds for GOP candidates this fall. 

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) warned that higher gas prices “are going to hurt a lot of people” during the summer driving season.

“That’s going to have an economic consequence and economic consequences always have political consequences and we’re looking at political consequences in November,” he said.  

Republicans are frustrated, and some want Trump to hit Iran harder.

 “Anytime you’re talking about a higher cost of energy, it’s something you should be concerned about but it’s different when you’re losing American lives,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). “When the Iranians are attacking our people, it’s time to finish this job.”

“I think the president has been working very hard to find a diplomatic solution. Clearly the Iranians don’t have the same interest. So, what we need to know from our leadership team is what does it take for our armed forces to resolve this situation as best we can once and for all,” the senator........

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