Poll Shows One in Three Americans Support Iran War

President Donald Trump speaks during a public event as a new national poll measures public opinion on the U.S. conflict with Iran.

Poll Finds One in Three Americans Support Iran War

WASHINGTON — July 27, 2026

Only about one in three Americans support the ongoing U.S. military conflict with Iran, while most say President Donald Trump has not clearly explained the objectives of the campaign, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The nationwide survey, conducted between Friday and Sunday, found that support for the conflict remains at its lowest level since the early stages of the five-month war. At the same time, Trump's overall job approval rating rose to 37%, up three percentage points from the previous month.

The poll found that 69% of respondents believe the president has not clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran. That view included Republicans, with roughly four in ten members of the president's party sharing the same concern.

The White House defended the administration's approach, saying the president remains committed to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and that national security decisions are not based on public opinion polls.

Public support for the conflict has remained below 40% since U.S. and Israeli military operations began on February 28. By comparison, early public support for previous U.S. military campaigns was significantly higher, with polling during the early months of the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War showing much stronger backing.

The survey also highlighted potential political challenges for Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections, when Republicans will seek to maintain narrow majorities in Congress.

Several voters interviewed expressed uncertainty about the purpose of the conflict. Some said they believed the administration should place greater emphasis on domestic priorities, while others questioned whether the war had been adequately explained to the public.

The conflict has also affected household finances. Rising fuel prices have pushed the national average price of gasoline to just over $4 per gallon, compared with about $3 per gallon before the conflict began.

The poll found that independent voters currently favor Democratic congressional candidates over Republican candidates by 36% to 20%. Independents also expressed greater confidence in Democrats on economic issues.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts. Since then, he has maintained that military action against Iran is necessary for U.S. security while rejecting comparisons between the current conflict and earlier long-running wars.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,246 U.S. adults nationwide and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.