Poll Shows Majority of Americans Say War in Iran Is Not Worth Fighting

Oil prices fell more than a dollar on Thursday as increased supply flows outweighed the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, which entered its fifth month with a fresh exchange of missile barrages (Reuters India). The decline came even as the U.S. and Iran resumed heavy strikes following a brief pause, and as Jordan and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at bases hosting American troops (AP India).

The price movement reflects a market recalibrating to the reality of sustained but contained disruption. Kazakhstan confirmed it is in talks to process Russian crude, a step that could alleviate fuel shortages in Russia and add barrels to the global market (Reuters India). Meanwhile, two tankers carrying Saudi crude bound for India exited the Red Sea by switching off their transponders, a tactic to avoid Houthi attacks that underscores the persistent logistical friction in the region (Reuters India). Saudi Arabia also unveiled plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition, signalling a structural shift toward collective security for energy shipping lanes (Reuters India).

The conflict's toll continues to mount. Since the war began on February 28, 18 U.S. service members have been killed, though the Trump administration has sought to revise those figures (AP India). On Thursday, an Iranian strike hit a Chinese firm’s building in Kuwait, killing a worker, while Jordan shot down five Iranian missiles. U.S. Central Command said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets, including command centers and coastal defence sites in the Strait of Hormuz (AP India). Iran’s Araqchi pressed European counterparts over the use of their bases in U.S. operations, widening the diplomatic front (Reuters India).

Domestic U.S. opposition has hardened. An AP-NORC poll conducted July 23-27 found two-thirds of American adults say the war has not been worth fighting, including 37% of Republicans. Approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of Iran slipped to 28%, down from 34% last month, with Republican approval falling to 61% from 71% in June (AP India). "I don’t have any trust in this administration at all and to why they brought us into this war," said Robert McClary, a 52-year-old Republican from Ohio (AP India).

In a separate development, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned six entities for supporting Iran’s Mahan Air and the IRGC, including India-based Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited, which has offices in Srinagar and Delhi and has acted as a general sales agent for Mahan Air since 2020 (Google News India). The designations also target firms in China and Russia.

Back in New Delhi, the Prime Minister shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam emphasizing beneficial thoughts, words, and actions, and praised Parliament’s passage of a Bill to strengthen the examination system (PIB). The Raksha Mantri unveiled landmark policy reforms for Indian Coast Guard personnel and their families (PIB).