Poll Reveals Only 25% of Americans Support Military Strikes on Iran: Public Opinion Divided

As tensions rise with the United States embarking on a new conflict in the Middle East, specifically targeting Iran, a recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos reveals that only about a quarter of Americans stand in support of the military action. This operation, named “Operation Epic Fury,” was initiated in collaboration with Israel in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The survey, which was published on Sunday, indicates that 27 percent of those polled approve of the military strikes, while 43 percent disapprove, and 29 percent remain uncertain. This reflects a nation divided over the administration’s foreign policy decisions.

Partisan lines seem to play a significant role in shaping public opinion. A majority of Republicans express support for the strikes, though 32 percent are unsure and 13 percent oppose the action. On the contrary, a mere 7 percent of Democrats back the operation, with a substantial 74 percent voicing their disapproval, and 19 percent undecided.

In a stark update from the battlefield, U.S. Central Command reported that as of 9:30 a.m. EST on Sunday, the conflict had already taken a toll on U.S. forces, resulting in the deaths of three service members. Additionally, five were injured, and several others suffered minor injuries and concussions. The joint operations led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside other key political and military figures in Iran.

This skepticism towards military action under President Trump’s administration isn’t confined to the conflict with Iran alone. A significant portion of those surveyed, over half, criticize the president’s frequent use of military force. The sentiment is shared across the political spectrum, with 23 percent of Republicans, a staggering 87 percent of Democrats, and 60 percent of independents expressing concerns about the president’s military strategies.

U.S. Central Command said that as of 9:30 a.m. EST on Sunday, three U.S. service members had been killed in action, while five were injured and “several” others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions. The joint U.S. and Israeli strikes resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a number of other political and military officials in the Middle Eastern nation.

The skepticism from Americans on President Trump authorizing military action does not extend only to Iran. Over half of respondents to the Reuters/Ipsos poll said the president uses military force “too much,” including 23 percent of Republicans, 87 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of those who do not identify with either party. 

In recent months, Trump has overseen operations in Iran, Venezuela, Syria and Nigeria, after vowing during his 2024 campaign that he would end the cycle of U.S. entanglements abroad and focus on issues at home. For that, the president has received backlash from Democrats on Capitol Hill but also members of his MAGA base.

As for the timeline of the operation in Iran, a country of over 90 million people, Trump told the Daily Mail it will take roughly four weeks. 

“It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so — as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks — or less,” he said.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted online with 1,282 U.S. adults. It has a margin of error of 3 percentage points for all adults and between 4 and 5 percentage points for specific political affiliations.