A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday reveals that a strong majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump has failed to clearly articulate the rationale behind the nation’s war with Iran, even as the commander-in-chief’s approval rating edges up from record lows.

The four-day survey, which comes more than two months into a conflict launched by a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign on February 28, found that 66% of respondents – including a third of Republicans and nearly all Democrats – feel Trump has not adequately explained the objectives of America’s military engagement in Iran.

The poll also found growing economic anxiety gripping the country, with 63% of Americans reporting that their household finances have been strained by the recent surge in gas prices, a notable jump from the 55% who expressed such concerns in a similar Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-March.

As voters grapple with pain at the pump, many appear to be directing their ire at Trump’s GOP allies, who face an uphill battle to maintain their congressional majorities in November’s midterm elections. The political headwinds for Republicans come as Trump’s own approval rating ticks up to 36%, just two points above the lowest level of his current term.

The modest uptick in Trump’s numbers may provide scant comfort to the White House as it navigates an increasingly unpopular conflict that has yet to achieve its stated aims.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)