Story perspectives

Trump Mulls Iran Attack as Costs Soar, Poll Shows Disapproval

7/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is close to deciding an attack on Iran.
Central Command launched its 13th night of attacks on Iranian sites in Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the campaign cost $37.5 billion and requested $67 billion more.
A poll found 29 percent approve of Trump’s Iran handling while two-thirds disapprove and one-quarter say the war isn’t worth its cost.

History

Historical Context

On 18 April 1988, amid the Iran-Iraq War, the United States under President Ronald Reagan launched Operation Praying Mantis in retaliation for an Iranian mine that crippled the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts during Operation Earnest Will. U.S. surface ships and aircraft from the carrier USS Enterprise destroyed two oil platforms, sank the frigate IRIS Sahand and at least three Iranian speedboats, pressuring Iran toward a cease-fire later that summer.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is close to deciding an attack on Iran.
Central Command launched its 13th night of attacks on Iranian sites in Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the campaign cost $37.5 billion and requested $67 billion more.
A poll found 29 percent approve of Trump’s Iran handling while two-thirds disapprove and one-quarter say the war isn’t worth its cost.

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