Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Washington think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that while U.S. President Donald Trump might consider military action against Iran after the November 3 election, the Middle East fears Iran could launch a preemptive strike. Schanzer believes Iranian leaders might take such a step to gain an advantage if they perceive an imminent U.S. attack. He noted that military action against Iran has heavily burdened Republican candidates, and American voters are weary of rising gasoline prices. According to the latest Pentagon estimates, the war has cost U.S. taxpayers $47.1 billion.