Former National Security Advisor John Bolton urged the U.S. to increase support for Iranian opposition groups, arguing that Washington should not underestimate the influence of Iran's military leadership. Bolton's comments come amid rising tensions following U.S. strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions near the Strait of Hormuz, which have rattled global markets and raised concerns about energy security.

In a post on X on Sunday, Bolton stated that if the U.S. does not intend to act robustly against the regime in Iran before the November elections, it should focus resources on the opposition on the ground. He emphasized the strategic importance of this support in the absence of direct military action against Tehran.

Bolton's Assessment of Iranian Control

Bolton cautioned against the perception that the Iranian government is significantly weakened. He described the idea that the government is merely wounded but continuing as before as a "dangerous illusion." He noted that while a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was negotiated by civilians, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remains the dominant military force.

"The MOU was negotiated by civilians, but the IRGC is still running the show militarily," Bolton said in a separate post on Sunday.

Market Impact and Diplomatic Stance

The exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran has introduced volatility into global markets. The U.S. launched strikes following an attack on a commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by striking U.S. bases and claiming the key waterway was closed, a claim disputed by U.S. Central Command, which affirmed the waterway remains open to lawful traffic.

Diplomatic channels remain open, though strained. The Trump administration indicated that diplomacy is still possible but warned of an "overwhelming force" response to further aggression. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker stated that President Trump is committed to peace but will act decisively if shipping is threatened. However, Iran reportedly refused to restart talks unless Washington changes its position, adding further pressure on energy markets and regional stability.

Democratic lawmakers Hakeem Jeffries and Patty Murray criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the Iran conflict on Wednesday as tensions escalate and gas prices surge. The criticism follows Trump's declaration at the NATO Summit in Ankara that the ceasefire with Iran was "over" and negotiations were a waste of time. The geopolitical instability has driven the national average gas price to $3.8460 per gallon, with oil trading above the $70 per barrel mark.

Political Reaction

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated on X that the "so-called ceasefire in the Middle East has collapsed." He described the conflict as a "reckless war of choice" that has been a disaster. Senator Patty Murray echoed these sentiments, calling the situation a "total failure of leadership" and noting that gas prices are surging again while the peace deal is in tatters. She criticized Republican lawmakers who voted to continue military operations, stating they "own this failure."

Economic Impact

The escalating conflict has led to immediate financial consequences for consumers. Data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows the average price for a gallon of gas rose to $3.8460 on Thursday. Prices in California remained significantly higher at $5.3830 per gallon, while Indiana reported the cheapest average at $3.2190 per gallon.

Oil and ETF Performance

Oil prices remained elevated, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil trading at $72.92 per barrel and Brent crude at $77.33 per barrel. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was trading at $110.54 during premarket trading on Thursday.