US Vice President Vance's statement prioritizing lower oil prices over "preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons" clearly reflects the Trump administration's increasing focus on the midterm elections. Gasoline prices directly influence voter turnout, and the current national average price has exceeded $4 per gallon, setting a new record for the same period. Public discontent over high oil prices could very well translate into punishment of the incumbent party in the midterm elections. Therefore, Vance's "reversal" is not an isolated statement, but rather a strategic adjustment by the White House to cope with electoral pressure—placing stable oil prices before denuclearization goals.
