Republicans are bracing for a potentially disastrous midterm election as President Donald Trump's war on Iran continues to exact a heavy toll on the global economy.
Despite the White House's attempts to downplay the situation, signs of panic are evident, with the war becoming increasingly unpopular with American voters.
The conflict has led to a significant spike in oil prices, with motorists in states that backed Mr Trump in 2024 feeling the pinch most acutely.
History suggests that when fuel prices rise, voters are more likely to vote against the incumbent president, and Mr Trump's approval ratings are already taking a hit.
Democrats are likely to win the House, and need to pick up four seats to win the Senate, with Maine being a key battleground state.
As the war drags on, Mr Trump's efforts to spin the situation are being met with skepticism, with critics accusing him of being insensitive to the everyday lives of regular people.
Analysts sympathetic to the administration offer a bullish assessment, suggesting that the bombing has been precise and that the regime is weakened.
However, others are less sanguine, warning that the war may become a quagmire and that Mr Trump's efforts to explain the situation to the American people have been woefully inadequate.
The war has also highlighted the cost of mistreating allies, with Mr Trump's "punitive transactionalism" being cited as a key reason why NATO allies are reluctant to help America reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Mr Trump's war on Iran is a growing liability for Republicans, and the party's midterm prospects are looking increasingly grim.
