A new poll shows that a majority of Americans believe U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far, as the war enters its fourth week with the involvement of the United States and Israel.
The survey, conducted by AP-NORC, found that 59% of Americans describe the strikes as excessive, despite the administration of Donald Trump continuing to deploy more ships and troops to the Middle East.
Details
The poll reflects mounting political pressure on the U.S. administration, alongside growing domestic economic concerns:
- 45% of Americans are highly or extremely concerned about their ability to afford fuel costs, up from 30% previously
- About two-thirds say preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is a highly important goal
- A similar share considers curbing rising oil and gas prices an equal priority
Politically, Trump’s performance remains relatively stable:
- 4 in 10 Americans approve of his overall job performance
- Only 34% approve of his handling of foreign policy
- 35% have a positive view of his approach to Iran
At the same time, caution over escalation is increasing:
- A majority of Americans oppose sending ground troops to Iran
- Fewer than half oppose airstrikes, reflecting a clear divide in opinion
- About half do not trust Trump’s ability to make sound foreign military decisions
Partisan divisions remain evident:
- Democrats are more opposed to military action, with 9 in 10 saying the strikes went too far
- Republicans are divided, tending to view the action as appropriate but without support for further escalation
What’s next?
Public support will depend on the administration’s next steps, particularly whether it moves toward broader military escalation or opens a diplomatic path with Iran.
