Support for the Iran war is plummeting among Donald Trump's voters
Support for the Iran war is plummeting among Donald Trump's voters, according to a new opinion poll from Politico.
In early May, 50 percent of Maga voters believed that the United States should continue the war even if the economic cost increases. The corresponding share two months later was 37 percent. Almost one in five respondents believe that the United States should end the conflict regardless of the economic toll.
The result can be interpreted as patience is running out and frustration is rising among Republicananalysts.
– The American people simply do not understand. They do not understand why we are involved in this war, says Curt Mills, editor-in-chief of The American Conservative magazine.
Trump: For every Iranian attack, we will bomb a bridge
Donald Trump threatens retaliatory attacks on Iran's infrastructure in a post on his own platform Truth Social.
"From now on, for every time Iran fires at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it is with a missile, rocket, drone or other weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy a bridge or a power plant," Trump writes.
Bridges and power plants in or near the capital Tehran may also be attacked, according to Trump.
Iran: At least 53 killed in US attacks
At least 53 people in Iran have been killed and nearly 600 injured in US attacks since the beginning of June, Iran's Health Ministry said, according to CNN.
The fighting between the countries has flared up again in recent days. Tehran has again started shelling ships in the Strait of Hormuz, after which Washington escalated its attacks on Iran.
At least three American soldiers were killed in Iranian attacks in the area over the weekend, according to the US Department of Defense.
onsdag 22 juli 2026
Middle East Crisis Iran War
Russian invasion
Sanctions
Source: EU not in agreement on sanctions package against Russia
EU ambassadors are not in agreement on a 21st sanctions package against Russia, an EU diplomat told Reuters.
The envoys will meet again tomorrow, the source added.
The EU has tried to reach a compromise with Greece, which wanted to change some of the sanctions.
This concerns primarily an import ban and a ban on the transport of liquefied natural gas from Russia. Athens has previously argued that Russia will not be harmed by such a ban. The country will instead turn to other countries such as China for international transport.
Ukraine's response
Expert on new military chief: "Has won a lot of respect"
Ukraine's new commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyj is respected by high-ranking military commanders and is considered an effective leader. This is what the Kyiv Independent writes in a background text about the 43-year-old, who is otherwise described as media-shy.
Johan Huovinen, a teacher of military strategy at the Swedish National Defence University, shares the picture and states in a comment to Dagens Nyheter that Drapatyj has been with the force since 2014.
- He has been with the force for these twelve years and has advanced his position. He has gained a lot of respect from the soldiers and volunteers, says Huovinen.
Analysis: Zelensky tries to appease discontent after the shock dismissal
The firing of the innovative Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stirred up emotions in Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky now seems at a loss as to how to resolve it, according to journalistic observers.
After the controversial firing a week ago, Zelensky also chose to get rid of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj on Tuesday.
Syrskyj has been classified as a hero in Ukraine since the first days of the invasion, but he has also been criticized for micromanaging and blocking drone deals, writes the Kyiv Independent and the New York Times.
According to SR's foreign correspondent Trygve Ulriksen Skogseth, the firing of Syrskyj can be interpreted as a sacrifice to appease those who protested and demanded Fedorov's return.
The more innovative Mykhailo Drapatyj will take over as ÖB, Zelenskyj's staff announces, but it remains to be seen how they will deal with the post of defense minister.
Middle East Crisis Israel-Hezbollah
Lebanon is increasing pressure on Hezbollah to get Israel out
Lebanon is currently working to push Israeli forces out of its territory, the country's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced on Wednesday, AFP reports.
The statement comes after Lebanon began disarming Hezbollah affiliates in "pilot areas" in the country's south, following pressure from US President Donald Trump.
The push is aimed at showing force against the Iran-backed terror group, all in order to get Israeli forces to leave and for Lebanon to regain its sovereignty.
The Israeli military has rejected Lebanon's ability to deal with the terror group and has therefore, since March 2, invaded Lebanon and subjected the area to repeated airstrikes, resulting in 4,300 deaths and more than 300,000 forced to flee their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.
Trump promises “a lot of help” to Lebanon
US President Donald Trump has promised “a lot of help” to Lebanon, reports the AP.
On Tuesday, he received Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, which is the first visit by a Lebanese president since 2009. The meeting comes after months of war in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah.
“The country has been treated very badly. We will make sure that it is treated properly and with the respect that it deserves,” Trump told Aoun.
It was not clear what the aid would consist of.