STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Pakistan sent its interior minister and military chief to Tehran on April 15, 2026, in an effort to advance peace talks aimed at resolving the war in Iran. The diplomatic mission followed a weekend in which peace talks in Pakistan had stalled.

President Trump has been referring to the war in Iran in the past tense and has said the conflict is nearing its end since a couple of weeks after it began. Trump claimed that the United States has decimated Iran and that the war is almost over.

Thirteen swing voters who participated in two online focus groups on Tuesday said they would not describe the military action as going well. Tevi Troy said that as wars evolve, U.S. presidents often explain to the American people why their missions change, and that Trump's style allows him more flexibility than other presidents have had, but that only goes so far.

"Trump often uses vague language, which makes him and his objectives hard to pin down," Tamara Keith said. Keith added that the president's attempts to declare victory are a sign that he wants the conflict to end.

Oil and gas exports from the Gulf remain halted because of the U.S. forces' blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's closing of the waterway. Oil prices have increased by about 40% since the war began, and Americans are currently seeing higher gas prices, though price increases have not yet spread to other areas of the economy. Airlines are facing rising costs, and Airports Council International Europe has warned of a potential systemic jet fuel shortage if traffic through the Strait of Hormuz does not normalize by the end of the month. Naval blockades are difficult to enforce, and their results can often be unpredictable.

Ellen Wald said that there is a severe supply chain crisis affecting fertilizers, aluminum, liquefied natural gas, polymers, plastics and diesel for construction and agriculture. Wald added that the longer the conflict continues, the more prices across the economy will increase.