Trump's killer quote exposes his bind on Iran and inflation

President Trump's remark this week that "I don't think about Americans' financial situation" as he weighs his next moves in Iran may have inadvertently captured the fundamental bind he's in: how to pressure Iran without spooking markets and sending oil prices soaring. Why it matters: Trump currently has no clear way to square his desire to end the war on his terms with the need to rein in inflation and keep the stock market humming in an election year. Between the lines: What Trump appeared to mean in Tuesday's remark is that domestic economic concerns won't deter him from whatever steps he feels are necessary to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That nuance is certain to be lost in the campaign ads Democrats cut highlighting the quote. "The president could have chosen different words, but this is what he thinks," a Trump adviser told Axios. The problem, a second Trump adviser acknowledged, is that "Iran has more time, and they're counting on our political calendar to benefit them." Friction point: Iranian officials have made clear they believe time is on their side, and that Trump is sensitive to rising oil prices and market volatility. Recent economic data showing a gas-driven inflation spike — and poll numbers suggesting voters blame the president and his fellow Republicans — don't help Trump's case that he can ride this out as long as it takes. Republican pollsters and consultants acknowledge that gas price increases driven by the war in Iran will make it harder to sell their midterm message on issues like tax cuts. But the second adviser insisted Trump is "serious about a non-nuclear Iran," political considerations be damned. The big picture: Trump has made clear ever since a ceasefire was reached six weeks ago that he was in the market for a deal and reluctant to resume the war. His negotiators thought they were getting close to a preliminary agreement with Tehran last week, but Iran's counterproposal disregarded Tr...

Original source: Axios