Only 31 percent of Americans surveyed said they support US military action against Iran, down from 37 percent in March and 34 percent earlier this month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday.
The survey also found President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent for a second consecutive poll, matching the lowest level recorded in the series across his first and second terms. Declining Republican support and concerns about the conflict’s economic impact contributed to the shift.
Republican support declines as overall backing drops
Support among Republican respondents fell to 69 percent from 77 percent in March. The poll surveyed 1,215 adults across the United States and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points in either direction.
Trump has defended the military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Related coverage: Iran threatens regional action against countries aiding US economic war.
Americans expect a prolonged conflict
Eighty-three percent of respondents said they expect the war to continue for an extended period, up from 80 percent earlier this month. The expectation of a lengthy conflict presents a challenge for Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on promises to reduce inflation and avoid foreign military engagements under an “America First” strategy.
Six months into the conflict, petrol prices were more than $1 per gallon higher than before the war. Iran has maintained a de facto blockade of oil exports from the region, contributing to US petrol prices rising near record highs.
Economic pressure and midterm politics
The Trump administration has announced pledges to increase economic pressure on Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that the United States would target all of Iran’s revenue sources, including oil, to prevent other countries and companies from doing business with Tehran. The campaign is called “Operation Economic Outcast.”
More context: Washington raises economic pressure on Iran as Tehran issues a warning.
Higher fuel costs could create difficulties for Republicans defending narrow congressional majorities ahead of November’s midterm elections. Among independent voters, 33 percent said they would support a Democrat in a congressional election held today, compared with 19 percent who said they would support a Republican.
Also read: Iran braces for wider US economic pressure as war continues.
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