Key facts
- 60% of US voters believe military action against Iran was not worth it, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
- A majority of Democrats (93%) and independents (66%) share this sentiment, while 75% of Republicans believe it was worth it.
- 59% of American voters lack confidence in the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
- The war cost the US nearly $60 billion and led to increased fuel expenses for households.
- A separate poll in Israel found 92% of Israelis believe Iran won the war.
- 48% of Americans think the US is too supportive of Israel, a record high since 2017.
A Quinnipiac University poll indicates that 60% of American voters believe the US military action against Iran was not worth the cost. This sentiment follows the signing of a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending hostilities and initiating negotiations for a permanent peace.
Public opinion is divided along party lines, with 93% of Democrats and 66% of independents finding the war not worthwhile, while 75% of Republicans believe it was justified. Confidence in the MoU is low, with 59% of voters expressing little to no confidence in its success. Republicans, however, show greater faith in the agreement, with 76% expressing confidence.
The war, initiated by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28, aimed to eliminate threats from the Iranian regime and destroy its nuclear program and military infrastructure. Despite these objectives, 61% of Americans believe Iran is still likely to develop nuclear weapons. The conflict also saw the assassination of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other leaders, though regime change did not occur, and the US conceded it could not destroy Iran's ballistic missile program.
The war's economic impact is significant, costing the US nearly $60 billion and increasing average household fuel expenses by $447.19 due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, 45% of American voters feel the US is in a weaker global position as a result of the conflict.
Perceptions of Israel have also shifted, with 48% of Americans believing the US is too supportive of Israel, the highest figure recorded by Quinnipiac since 2017. This sentiment is stronger among Democrats (66%) and independents (55%) compared to Republicans (20%).
In Israel, a poll by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that 92% of Israelis believe Iran won the war. A significant majority of Israelis (83%) feel the conflict has weakened their country's long-term security, and 72.5% do not believe Prime Minister Netanyahu's claims of significant gains. Furthermore, 56% of Israelis view Netanyahu's management of the war as poor or a failure.