One in three Americans back Iran war as poll shows approval at new low
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- Reuters/Ipsos poll found approximately 33% of Americans back the war on Iran — a new low for the conflict and a sharp contrast to early support for the Iraq War (~70%) and Afghanistan War (~90%).
- 69% of Americans, including 40% of Republicans, said Trump has not "clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran," despite his shifting stated objectives including toppling Iran's leaders and neutralizing its ballistic missiles and nuclear program.
- Trump's approval rating ticked up to 37%, a 3-point increase from last month when it tied the lowest of his presidency, according to the same poll.
- 18 American soldiers have died in the conflict since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on February 28, while "thousands have died in Iran and in Lebanon."
- Gasoline prices have averaged just over $4 a gallon nationwide since the war began, up from about $3 a gallon prewar, a financial strain the poll shows independent voters are registering against Republicans.
- Independent voters in the poll favor Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans 36% to 20%, and break for Democrats on economic policy as well, ahead of November midterms.
- White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales dismissed the polling, saying Trump will not make decisions based on "fluid opinion polls" and reiterating his resolve to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
- Trump initially estimated the war would last "four to five weeks" when campaigning on keeping the U.S. out of "enduring conflicts," per the source.
Why it matters: With Republicans defending slim congressional majorities in November, the poll hands Democrats a potent economic argument: gas prices have roughly doubled since the war's February 28 start, and independents — who broke for Democrats 36% to 20% in this survey — are registering that pain. Even Trump's own approval uptick to 37% comes with 69% of Americans, including 40% of Republicans, saying he hasn't justified the war, undercutting the political tailwind from his base.
