President Donald Trump on Monday suggested to reporters that he would prefer to seize Iranian energy infrastructure, but that American public opinion of a prolonged presence in the region would prevent such an effort.

"If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil! Because it's there for the taking, there's not a thing they can do about it," he told reporters. "Unfortunately, the American people would like to see us come home."

The comments seem to be among the first from the president acknowledging that public opinion of the conflict is not in his favor. Polling data has consistently shown a majority of the public disapproves of his handling of the war, with some surveys showing his own supporters would prefer a speedy exit.

Trump is set to speak to the nation at 1 p.m. to provide an update on the conflict. He has repeatedly declared the war to be won, though the administration has not reached an agreement with Iran and myriad reports of such a deal have come to naught, thus far.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.