Public support in the United States for the war involving Iran has fallen to its lowest level since the conflict began five months ago, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, with most Americans saying President Donald Trump has not clearly explained the objectives of US military involvement.
The nationwide poll, conducted from Friday to Sunday, found that only one in three Americans support the conflict. At the same time, Trump’s approval rating rose to 37%, three percentage points higher than last month, when it matched the lowest level of his presidency.
Trump has presented several objectives for the conflict, including preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, weakening its ballistic missile capabilities and supporting Iranians seeking to remove their leaders.
However, 69% of respondents, including four in 10 Republicans, said Trump had not clearly explained the goals of US military involvement in Iran.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump would not base decisions on what she described as ‘fluid opinion polls’ and reiterated the administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Public support remains weak
Support for the conflict has remained below 40% since the United States and Israel launched strikes on February 28.
The Reuters/Ipsos findings contrast sharply with public backing seen during the early stages of previous US military campaigns.
Polling by Gallup showed that the Iraq War enjoyed support from about 70% of Americans in its initial months, while the Afghanistan War received backing from roughly 90% of the public during its early phase.
Political and economic pressures mount
Public dissatisfaction with the conflict is adding pressure on Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections, when Republicans will defend narrow majorities in Congress.
Alex Womack, a retired turbine repair specialist from Georgia and a Republican, said he no longer strongly supported Trump because of the conflict.
He said he did not understand why the United States had entered the war and believed the president was not performing well.
The conflict has claimed the lives of 18 American soldiers, while thousands have died in Iran and Lebanon, where Iran-aligned fighters have been engaged in fighting against Israeli forces.
The war has also contributed to higher fuel prices. Average gasoline prices across the United States have risen to slightly above US$4 per gallon, compared with about US$3 before the conflict began.
Republican political strategist Alex Conant said rising fuel costs were creating additional political challenges, particularly as the administration had sought to focus public attention on economic issues.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll also found that independent registered voters preferred Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans by 36% to 20%. Independent voters likewise favoured Democrats on economic policy.
Voters question prolonged military involvement
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to keep the United States out of prolonged wars and initially estimated the Iran conflict would last four to five weeks.
He has rejected comparisons between the current conflict and previous long-running wars, including the Vietnam War.
Rhyan Anderson, an independent voter from Georgia who supported Trump in the 2024 election, said the president should prioritise domestic issues over involvement in overseas conflicts.
Since mid-March, Reuters/Ipsos has tracked public opinion on military strikes against Iran. Support stood at 37% at that time, compared with 27% on the first day of the conflict, when many respondents were still undecided.
The latest online survey collected responses from 1,246 adults across the United States and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
