One of President Donald Trump's favorite metaphors is that he's got the cards -- that through the might of the United States and his own acumen he can overpower any adversary.

On Iran, the former casino owner is learning that he, in fact, doesn't have such a strong hand after all.

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Reuters) - Two out of three Americans think President Donald Trump has not clearly explained why the country has gone to war with Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday that also showed his approval rating ticking up from the lowest level of his term.

The four-day poll revealed deep concerns about surging gasoline prices, and also suggested many voters are casting blame for their troubles on Trump's Republican allies who will be defending their congressional majorities in the November midterm elections.

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday issued an alert to financial institutions warning of efforts by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' to evade U.S. sanctions, as concerns mount of a resumption of hostilities in the conflict with Iran.

The U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said it issued the alert to assist financial institutions in identifying those funding and facilitating procurement networks supporting the IRGC.

May 11 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation tour taking in the United Arab Emirates and Europe from May 15-20, India's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday, as the Middle East crisis drives up global oil prices and strains India's foreign currency reserves.

Modi is to visit the UAE on May 15 and subsequently travel to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, the statement said.

KYIV, May 11 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday discussed with the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan UAE's assistance in bringing Ukrainians back from Russian captivity and the war in Iran.

Since the start of the wake of the Iran war, Ukraine has offered its battle-tested expertise in countering drones to the UAE and a handful of other Middle Eastern countries. Kyiv and the UAE struck a 10-year defence cooperation deal.

By Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Monday that the ceasefire with Iran was "on life support," after dismissing Tehran's response to a U.S. peace proposal as "stupid."

Trump's swift rejection of Iran's response on Sunday has fueled concerns that ​the 10-week-old conflict will drag on and continue to paralyze shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

"I would call it the weakest right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us, I didn't even finish reading it," Trump said of the ceasefire. "It's on life support."

By Francois Murphy

VIENNA, May 11 (Reuters) - This week's Eurovision Song Contest, already stung by boycotts over Israeli participation, is also facing a test of new public-voting rules introduced to address complaints about Israel's ability to mobilise votes in the last competition.

The contest, a celebration of pop music and high camp now in its 70th year, is no stranger to tussles over voting records and rivalries between the national broadcasters taking part.

European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed new sanctions on Israeli settlers over violence against Palestinians, as a change of government in Hungary ended months of blockage.

"It was high time we move from deadlock to delivery," EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said in announcing the green light. "Extremisms and violence carry consequences."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU was "sanctioning the main Israeli organisations guilty of supporting the extremist and violent colonisation of the West Bank, as well as their leaders".

The public broadcasters for Spain, Ireland and Slovenia said Monday they will not show the 70th anniversary Eurovision Song Contest this week, as they boycott the TV extravaganza over Israel's participation.

The three countries, along with the Netherlands and Iceland, pulled out of this year's event in Vienna, which kicks off on Tuesday and culminates in Saturday's grand final.

BEIRUT, May 11 (Reuters) - Lebanon's president has urged the United States to put pressure on Israel to cease fire and stop home demolitions in south Lebanon, the presidency said on Monday, as the death toll from Israeli attacks rose.

Lebanon's health ministry said 74 people had been killed by Israeli strikes in the last three days despite a truce announced last month in fighting between Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and the Israeli military, a spokesperson said.