Poll: Majority of Americans Say Iran War Not Worth Fighting
A new AP-NORC poll indicates most Americans believe the war in Iran has not been worth the cost, with President Trump's approval rating on the conflict declining.
Most Americans believe the war in Iran has not been worth fighting, and President Donald Trump's approval rating on Iran has fallen slightly since last month, according to a new AP-NORC poll.
The results represent a significant repudiation of the Republican president's approach to the conflict, which has lasted considerably longer than he initially projected.
Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults stated that the war with Iran, which began on February 28, has not been worthwhile. This sentiment includes the vast majority of Democrats and independents, as well as approximately 37% of Republicans.
The poll was conducted from July 23-27, following a pause in attacks by the U.S. and Iran after a nearly two-week escalation. During this period, the U.S. targeted Iranian military and commercial sites, while Iran attacked U.S. military facilities in the Middle East, resulting in additional casualties among American service members. A total of 18 U.S. service members have been killed since the war's commencement.
The findings underscore the war's unpopularity domestically, potentially posing a challenge for congressional Republicans seeking reelection in November who have supported Trump's military actions. Only 28% of U.S. adults now approve of Trump's handling of Iran, a slight decrease from 34% last month. Even Republicans appear increasingly dissatisfied with the prolonged conflict.
Furthermore, many Americans express concern over the economic impact of the Iran war. Approximately 70% of U.S. adults deem it "extremely" or "very" important for the U.S. to prevent domestic oil and gas prices from rising. Oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel last week, ending a brief period of lower prices when hostilities eased in June.