Al Jazeera analysis indicates that as the US midterm elections approach (November 3), rising oil prices and public opposition to the war with Iran are creating political pressure on the Donald Trump administration to de-escalate the situation before the midterms. Recent polls show that only 31% of Americans support the war, while 63% oppose it; Donald Trump's approval rating has also dropped from 40% to 33%. US retail diesel prices hit a new record high this Thursday. Analysts believe that Washington hopes to avoid a full-scale war while increasing economic pressure on Iran, but Iran also has its own considerations and may resort to military responses, thereby forcing the US to escalate the conflict before the elections.