Key facts
- A majority of U.S. adults believe the war in Iran has not been worth fighting.
- President Donald Trump's approval rating on handling Iran has declined slightly.
- 72% of U.S. adults consider it extremely or very important to prevent domestic oil and gas prices from rising.
- 28% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's handling of Iran, a decrease from 34% in the previous month.
- Approximately half of Republicans support continuing military action in Iran.
A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll indicates that a majority of Americans believe the war in Iran has not been worth fighting, representing a significant repudiation of President Donald Trump's approach to the conflict. The poll, conducted from July 23-27, found that about two-thirds of U.S. adults hold this view, including most Democrats and independents, and a notable portion of Republicans.
During the period of the poll, the U.S. and Iran had paused attacks following a nearly two-week escalation. This escalation involved U.S. targeting of Iranian military and commercial sites and Iranian attacks on U.S. military facilities in the Middle East, which resulted in additional American service member deaths. Since the war's commencement on February 28, 18 U.S. service members have been killed, though the Trump administration has reportedly sought to revise these figures.
The survey highlights the war's unpopularity at home, which could pose challenges for congressional Republicans in the upcoming November elections. President Trump's approval rating on his handling of Iran has seen a slight decrease, falling to 28% from 34% the previous month. Even among Republicans, approval has dipped from 71% in June to 61%, a decline considered slight but noteworthy given their generally higher approval of Trump's overall presidency.
Robert McClary, a Republican from Ohio, expressed skepticism about the war's conclusion and distrust in the administration's reasons for engaging in it, recalling Trump's past campaign promises against starting new Middle East wars. His sentiment reflects a broader concern about the prolonged conflict and the risk to soldiers.
Americans' priorities regarding Iran appear to diverge from Trump's stated goal of preventing a nuclear weapon. While a significant majority deem preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon important, more Americans prioritize keeping gasoline prices low or negotiating a permanent ceasefire. Jennifer Norton, a Republican from Tennessee, supports military action but is concerned about rising costs for goods like beef and hamburgers, trusting Trump's business acumen to manage the situation.
There is limited public appetite for a prolonged conflict, with only about 20% of U.S. adults favoring its continuation. Around 30% advocate for pausing military action to seek a ceasefire, while another 20% want a complete halt. Roughly a quarter are undecided. Among Republicans, about half support continuing military action, with "very conservative" individuals and MAGA supporters being more inclined to do so than non-MAGA Republicans.
Ryan Sloan, a Republican from Florida, voiced a desire for greater transparency from the Trump administration regarding the recent intensification of the war. Concerns about the economic impact, particularly rising gas prices which topped $4 per gallon on average, are prevalent. Despite inflation cooling, consumer spending has slowed, indicating broader economic pressures.
Overall, President Trump's approval rating stands at 33%, which is lower than his standing at a similar point in his first term and comparable to Joe Biden's approval rating during a period of peak inflation.