Just one in three Americans back Iran war, most unsure of Trump's goals, poll finds

Just one in three Americans back Iran war, most unsure of Trump's goals, poll finds Just one in three Americans support the war on Iran, the lowest reading in a Reuters/Ipsos poll since the five-month-old conflict's early days, with most respondents saying that President Donald Trump has failed to explain his goals. The poll, conducted Friday through Sunday, also showed the Republican president's approval rating ticking higher to 37 percent, up three points from last month when his rating tied the lowest of his presidency. The poll found that 69 percent of Americans, including four in 10 Republicans, think Trump has not "clearly explained the goals of US military involvement in Iran." Approval of the conflict has been below 40 percent since the US and Israel launched strikes on 28 February - a stark contrast to the opening months of other recent conflicts.

While each had different context, the Iraq War from 2003 to 2011 had the support of about 70 percent of Americans in its early months. During the early days of the Afghanistan War, which lasted from 2001 to 2021, about 90 percent of the country backed the war, according to polling by Gallup. A majority of Americans believe the ongoing war with Iran has proven more difficult than initially anticipated by the United States administration, according to a new survey.

The poll, conducted by CBS News in collaboration with YouGov between July 22 and 24, found that 76% of respondents said the conflict had been “more challenging” than expected. In contrast, 20% felt the war had unfolded as anticipated, while only 4% believed it had been easier than expected. The survey showed that 58% of respondents felt uncertain about the situation, while 57% reported feelings of frustration.

Moreover, 36% expressed pessimism, compared to just 19% who said they felt optimistic. The findings also suggested limited confidence in the US position, with only 22% of respondents believing Iran currently held the advantage in the conflict. The results highlighted growing public concern and unease as the conflict continues without a clear resolution.