With elections right around the corner, for most Americans, Iran and Israel might seem like distant issues, not the kind of thing people think about when they head to the polls. But here’s the reality—whether it’s being discussed or not, the situation in the Middle East has a massive impact on Americans, particularly when it comes to oil prices and economic stability.

Israel’s recent, historic strike on Iran is a clear statement in our ongoing fight for security and peace in the region. Israel has just taken out Iran’s top-of-the-line air defense system, the most sophisticated tech they had in place to block Israeli air attacks. This is huge. Right now, Israel holds air superiority over Iran, positioning us to strike anything, anywhere. Iran, which previously held the confidence that its advanced air defenses would keep Israel at bay, now realizes that it’s vulnerable to an unrestrained Israeli air assault if it escalates its actions.

On the one hand, the Iranian regime seems to be holding back from direct retaliation after Israel’s recent airstrikes on their air defenses, which took out critical parts of their military infrastructure. At first glance, that might look like a sign of weakness or even acceptance of defeat. But let’s not get too comfortable—there’s no way Iran is giving up.

Iran’s silence on the battlefield is likely strategic, especially with U.S. elections just days away. They know the Biden-Harris administration is desperate to avoid any escalation that could influence the American voter. That’s why the U.S. is also receiving intel that Iran may still retaliate days before the elections, keeping the world on edge. Whether they attack Israel directly or not, they’re still active through their proxies. Just this weekend, we saw an attack on Israeli soldiers in Tel Aviv—a reminder that Iran’s terror networks are still fully operational. Yet, Iran knows that any retaliation will open the door for Israel to hit back even harder—and Israel’s next move could strike right at the heart of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and energy sites.

Here’s where the Biden-Harris administration’s policies come into play. The U.S. administration has been managing this conflict by essentially dictating where Israel can and can’t strike in Iran. Yes, Israel’s ability to strike was restricted, leaving out some critical sites, especially nuclear and energy facilities. This administration has prioritized “managing” the Middle East conflict, fearing the impact of an Israel-Iran escalation on the U.S. elections and oil prices. If Iran escalates, it’s almost certain that oil prices will surge as Israel will most certainly be forced to hit Iranian oil fields and factories to cripple its economy, something that impacts Americans directly.

Now, think about how things would look under a Trump administration. Trump’s approach to foreign policy has been pretty clear—telling Israel to do what it needs to do to defend herself, and to do it fast, without placing restrictions on Israel’s right to defend itself. Trump would not be coordinating with both sides or limiting Israel’s hand in taking out Iran’s nuclear threat. Trump would most probably empower Israel to protect itself fully, which is why a Trump presidency could mean the difference between true security for Israel and a stronger, safer Middle East, versus another term of “managed conflict” under Biden-Harris that would lead to a continued dangerous world.

For the freedom-loving world, the Biden/Harris administration coordination with Iran only enables the regime to keep advancing its nuclear program and terror efforts. And this conflict is about more than just the region; it’s global. With Israel’s newfound air superiority, there’s no need to “manage” the threat—we need to end it. Israel is ready to take down Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but to cripple it properly, Israel needs US support to act with the full force of the 30,000 lb buster bombs that only the US has.

The final piece of this puzzle comes down to the American election. Most Americans may not be focused on Iran or Israel when they head to the polls, but if Israel’s next steps target Iran’s oil infrastructure, a spike in oil prices could hit Americans directly at the pump. This is why American leadership is critical—not just for Israel’s security but for U.S. economic stability as well. That hit will mostly be felt in a Harris presidency, but not a Trump presidency, since President Trump would shift the equation, bringing America back to energy independence and reducing reliance on oil from volatile regions like Iran.

It’s also important to recognize what Prime Minister Netanyahu’s been doing—pushing the envelope carefully, despite all the constraints. The Biden-Harris administration didn’t want us to go into Gaza, but we did. They didn’t want us in Rafah, yet we went. They didn’t want us taking on Hezbollah, but here we are, fighting that battle as well. Netanyahu’s strategy here has been masterful, moving step-by-step with undeniable justification each time, forcing reluctant U.S. approval as the situation proved his decisions necessary.

Now, I hope Netanyahu is using the same strategy with Iran. Step one may be over, but it’s only the beginning. And if we can continue to navigate this administration’s pressures, especially if a change in U.S. leadership comes in 2024, we can look forward to a real, definitive end to the Iranian threat—ensuring Israel’s security and safeguarding the freedom-loving world from an unchecked Islamic Republic of Iran.