BETHLEHEM, PA. — President Donald Trump stated this month he would "never apologize" for higher prices stemming from the war with Iran, defending the conflict as necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The war has surpassed six months in duration, exceeding Trump's initial statement that it would last weeks.

Trump said he did "the right thing" to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions despite the economic costs. The Trump administration announced new sanctions this week in an attempt to further isolate Tehran. CIA Director John Ratcliffe urged Russian officials to reduce military and economic support for Iran during a visit to Moscow. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to significantly expand sanctions against countries that refuse to cut economic ties with Iran.

About two-thirds of U.S. adults say the war with Iran has not been worth fighting, according to a July poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. More than one-third of Republicans say the war has not been worth fighting. Voters across the country expressed mixed reactions to the economic impact and length of the conflict.

Mike Gibbons is a 33-year-old restaurant server in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who pays nearly $1 per gallon more for gasoline than he did last year. "The price of gas affects the price of everything and the price of everything's up and my pay hasn't gone up," Gibbons said. He stated he was unable to bring himself to cast a vote for Donald Trump in the previous presidential election and did not vote in that race.

Gibbons plans to vote for any Democrat in the November midterm elections. "I'm doing blue no matter who this time," he said.

Larry Cole is a 66-year-old Republican service manager from Perry, Iowa, who said higher gas prices are just the "nature of the beast." Cole said Trump has taken action that other presidents were not willing to do to keep Iran in check. "Hit them where they need to be hit," Cole said. He said he will back Republicans in the midterm elections and does not want to see Democrats gain control in either chamber of Congress.

Brandon Bane is a fast-food worker in Bakersfield, California, who described himself as a political independent. "It hasn’t been worth it at all," Bane said regarding the war. He plans to vote for Randy Villegas, the Democratic challenger to Republican Representative David Valadao in his district.

Melissa Wegman is a Democratic retiree from Bakersfield who paid $128 to fill the tank on her SUV. "I have to manage a budget," Wegman said.

Mark Duffy is a 65-year-old resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, who retired a year ago from selling electronic components. Duffy said he did not expect the war to go on as long as it has but noted it has not had material effects on his life. "I didn’t think it would go this long," Duffy said.

He added that the next wave of economic sanctions may offer a path for others to join the effort. Evan Mise is a 26-year-old resident of Ashland, Virginia, who said he feels the increase in gas prices. "I feel like our government is pretty corrupt through and through," Mise said. He described his generation as feeling helpless and has not decided whether to support Democrats or Republicans in the November elections.