WASHINGTON — New polling data shows the American public remains sharply divided along partisan lines regarding U.S. military involvement in Iran, with recent surveys indicating more people oppose the action than support it.
Survey results reveal widespread concern that the military engagement is putting America at greater risk, despite many viewing Iran as a security threat. These findings present potential challenges for Trump as he faces the prospect of an extended conflict that could bring substantial economic disruption. On Monday, the president sent mixed signals about how long the conflict might continue, hinting it could be nearing completion while simultaneously warning of additional military force if Iran interferes with international oil supplies.
Rising and falling oil costs may already be causing voter anxiety. Weekend polling found approximately 70% of registered voters express significant worry that the conflict will drive up oil and gas prices, with most expecting the U.S. military response to continue for several months or longer.
Survey data shows Republicans generally support the president’s approach, though there are signs of hesitation regarding any response involving American ground forces in Iran. Given Trump’s campaign promises to prioritize “America first” policies and end U.S. participation in prolonged overseas conflicts, the Iran situation could create particular political tension.
The latest Quinnipiac Poll, conducted over the weekend, found 53% of registered voters disapprove of U.S. military action against Iran. Just 40% express support, while roughly 10% remain undecided.
These findings align with rapid-response text polling from The Washington Post and CNN, both conducted immediately after the joint U.S.-Israel strikes commenced, which similarly showed more Americans rejecting than supporting the military response.
However, a recent Fox News survey found public opinion more evenly split, with half of registered voters approving the U.S. military action and half disapproving.
Multiple recent polls indicate most Americans believe the Trump administration has failed to clearly articulate the reasoning behind the military strikes, with disagreement over whether Iran actually presented an “imminent and direct threat” to America, as White House officials have claimed.
In the Quinnipiac survey, 55% of voters said they didn’t believe Iran represented an “imminent military threat” to the U.S. prior to current military operations. Conversely, about 60% of registered voters in the Fox News poll characterized Iran as a “real national security threat,” while a recent AP-NORC poll found roughly half of U.S. adults deeply worried that Iran’s nuclear capabilities pose a direct danger to America.
With oil prices fluctuating, the overwhelming majority of voters express significant concern about potential increases in oil and gasoline costs within the United States, the Quinnipiac poll shows. Only about 25% of voters report being minimally concerned or unconcerned about price increases.
Democrats and independents show the highest levels of concern, though approximately half of Republicans also worry the conflict could increase gas prices.
Trump stated Monday that the U.S. would escalate action against Iran if they attempted to disrupt global oil distribution.
As the Iran conflict expands throughout the Middle East, many Americans fear Trump’s military choices have compromised U.S. security.
Roughly half of voters in both Quinnipiac and Fox News polls indicated the U.S. military action in Iran makes America “less safe,” while only about 30% in each survey said it improved national security. The CNN poll discovered about half of U.S. adults believed the strikes would make Iran “more of a threat” to America, while only approximately 30% thought it would reduce the danger.
About 60% of U.S. adults said they trust Trump “not much” or “not at all” to make appropriate decisions regarding U.S. military force in Iran, according to CNN polling. Republicans showed greater confidence than Democrats or independents.
An AP-NORC poll conducted prior to the strikes found similar results, with 56% of U.S. adults trusting Trump “only a little” or “not at all” to make correct decisions about overseas military force deployment.
Most voters worry about potential expansion of the conflict.
Approximately 75% of voters reject the concept of deploying ground troops to Iran, according to the Quinnipiac poll conducted after six U.S. service member deaths were announced. A seventh service member death was reported Wednesday.
The Trump administration has recognized the probability of American casualties and hasn’t eliminated the possibility of sending American soldiers to Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last week it would be “foolishness” to expect U.S. officials to publicly declare “here’s exactly how far we’ll go.”
Only about 20% in the Quinnipiac poll supported deploying troops to Iran. Even among Republican voters, more oppose than support ground troop deployment, 52% to 37%.
