Lead

Just one in three Americans support the war with Iran, the lowest reading in a Reuters/Ipsos poll since the conflict's early days, with most respondents saying that President Donald Trump has failed to explain his goals. The poll found that 69% of Americans, including four in 10 Republicans, think Trump has not "clearly explained the goals of US military involvement in Iran."

Coverage comparison

A separate Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that just 28% of Americans think the Iran war is worth fighting, while 68% believe it is not. The conflict has also weighed on the president's standing, with an Economist/YouGov poll showing his approval rating has hit an all-time low, with 62% of Americans disapproving of his performance.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump will not make decisions based on "fluid opinion polls" and reiterated the president's resolve to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon. "What matters most to the American people is having a commander in chief who takes bold action to keep them safe," Wales said.

However, Trump offered a different interpretation of public sentiment, telling reporters that Americans are not against the war. "Americans aren't against the war. A poll just came out: Americans don't want high gasoline prices, but they're not against the war. That just came out loud and clear in a poll," Trump said at Andrews Air Force Base. "Nobody wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon," he added.

The conflict has been marked by significant economic costs and instability, according to the reports. The war has led to Iranian missile and drone attacks against neighboring countries and commercial shipping, and has pushed gasoline prices sharply higher, with 58% of respondents in one poll saying they expected gas prices to worsen.

Key claims

  • One in three Americans support the war on Iran, the lowest reading since the conflict's early days, with most saying Trump has failed to explain his goals.
  • 69% of Americans, including four in 10 Republicans, say Trump has not "clearly explained the goals of US military involvement in Iran."
  • Just 28% of Americans think the Iran war is worth fighting, while 68% believe it is not worth fighting.
  • Trump's approval rating has hit an all-time low, with 62% of Americans disapproving of the president's performance. The poll found his rating at 34-37%, depending on the survey.
  • 50% of poll respondents said they thought US military action in Iran would destabilize the Middle East over the next year, about three times the 17% who said the war would lead to more stability. Americans who expect the Middle East to slide toward chaos outnumber those who see the war bringing more stability by three to one.
  • 58% of Americans said they expected gas prices to worsen.
  • The war has led to Iranian missile and drone attacks against neighboring countries and commercial shipping.
  • The war has cost US taxpayers at least $37.5 billion, killed 18 US service members and killed thousands of Iranians.

Perspectives

White House: White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump will not make decisions based on "fluid opinion polls" and reiterated the president's resolve to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon. "What matters most to the American people is having a commander in chief who takes bold action to keep them safe," she said.

President Donald Trump: Trump believes that Americans do not oppose Washington continuing its military campaign against Iran. "Americans aren't against the war. A poll just came out: Americans don't want high gasoline prices, but they're not against the war. That just came out loud and clear in a poll," Trump said. He also threatened to launch new strikes against Iran. "They're going to pay a big price," he said, without providing further details.