Majority of Americans say US-Iran war has gone too far, fear fuel price surge: poll
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Most Americans believe US military action against Iran has gone too far, with growing concern about rising fuel costs, according to a new poll by The Associated Press and the NORC at the University of Chicago.
The survey found that about 59 percent of respondents consider the military action excessive as the conflict enters its fourth week under President Donald Trump. At the same time, 45 percent said they are extremely or very concerned about affording gasoline in the coming months, a sharp rise from 30 percent in a similar poll conducted after Trump’s re-election.
Despite concerns over the conflict, Trump’s overall approval rating remains steady, with about 4 in 10 Americans approving of his performance. His foreign policy approval also remains largely unchanged, with around 34 percent backing his handling of international issues and 35 percent approving his approach to Iran.
The poll highlights a divide between strategic priorities and economic concerns.
Around two-thirds of Americans said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is an important goal.
However, a similar proportion stressed the importance of keeping oil and gas prices from rising.
Public opinion varies across political lines. Nearly 9 in 10 Democrats and about 6 in 10 independents said the military action has gone too far. Republicans were more divided, with about half saying the response was appropriate, while a smaller share believed it had gone too far or not far enough.
Concerns about fuel costs also differed, with about 6 in 10 Democrats expressing great concern compared to roughly 3 in 10 Republicans. Still, preventing a rise in energy prices emerged as a rare point of agreement, supported by majorities in both parties.
The poll also found broad opposition to further escalation. Around 6 in 10 Americans oppose deploying US ground troops to fight Iran, while support for airstrikes remains mixed. Trust in Trump’s decisions on the use of military force remains low, with about half of respondents expressing little or no confidence.
As the conflict continues, the findings suggest that while the president’s approval ratings have not yet shifted significantly, prolonged involvement could deepen political and economic concerns among the public.