Top Republican Leader Warns Donald Trump Needs Iran Exit Plan
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Trump administration needs a plan for "how to wind this down," as the South Dakota Republican raised concerns about the trajectory of the war in Iran in remarks to Punchbowl News.
The Republican leader's comments referred to the war's mounting economic and political consequences, with further disruption of the Strait of Hormuz threatening to worsen economic pain already being felt stateside. Trump's war with Iran, which started six weeks ago, has become a flashpoint within the GOP, with several high-profile Republicans breaking with the president over his handling of the conflict.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Thune via email for comment.
What To Know
Over the past six weeks, U.S. military operations against Iran "have been very effective and successful, but… they need a plan for how to wind this down, how to get an outcome," Thune told Punchbowl News.
He said the blockade was intended to increase economic pressure on Iran and push Tehran back to the negotiating table after weekend talks ended without a breakthrough.
The Republican leader noted that his constituents are feeling the impact of the war, saying, "It's a big deal. We're in planting season. So if you didn't buy fertilizer ahead of time, you're really feeling it. And obviously, fuel is a critically important part of production [in] agriculture."
Much of the world's fertilizer is produced in the Middle East and, normally, some 220,000 tons of nitrogen fertilizer pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The price of the most common nitrogen fertilizer, urea, jumped 54 percent from February to March, according to World Bank statistics, reaching $726 per metric ton.
Fuel prices have shot up in the U.S. as well, with AAA’s national average on Tuesday at $4.12 per gallon. Last year, the average price was $3.23 per gallon at this time.
Agriculture plays a significant role in South Dakota's economy, with about 11 percent of residents working as farm producers-one of the highest shares in the country, according to USA Facts.
The war has grown increasingly unpopular with Americans. A late-March Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,021 adults found that 60 percent opposed U.S. military strikes on Iran, while 35 percent supported them. The poll also found that 66 percent said the U.S. should move quickly to end its involvement in the war, even if it does not achieve all of its goals, while 27 percent said the U.S. should stay involved until those goals are met, even if that prolongs the conflict.
Beyond Democrats' opposition, several high-profile Republicans have also broken with Trump over his handling of the conflict, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Alex Jones, and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Several high-profile Republicans have taken issue with the president's rhetoric towards Iran, including his post last week that an entire civilization may die, as well as others arguing that he has abandoned his “America First” ideology and base.
Some Republican lawmakers have even called for the 25th Amendment to be revoked, which allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unable to discharge the duties of office.
What Happens Next
The U.S. has blockaded Iranian ports, while Iran has restricted and threatened vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The two countries agreed to a two-week ceasefire last week, and there are discussions of a potential second round of talks.
Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 11:24 AM.