Poll Shows Plummeting U.S. Support for Iran Conflict as Trump’s Approval Hits Historic Low

The decline in public backing for the Iran war is driven by falling Republican support, rising gasoline prices, and concerns about a prolonged conflict.

Published On 24 Aug 202624 Aug 2026

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, U.S. support for the war on Iran has dropped as President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains at a historic low.

Public support for the war has fallen to its lowest point since the conflict’s early days, driven by decreasing Republican backing, the poll released on Monday indicates.

Only 31% of those surveyed said they back U.S. military action against Iran, down from 37% in March and 34% earlier this month.

Support among Republican respondents fell to 69%, compared with 77% in March.

The war is further eroding Trump’s public standing; the second consecutive Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 33% of respondents approved of his presidential performance, equaling the lowest rating recorded in his first and second terms.

Trump has defended the campaign as essential to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, noting that the conflict began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Nevertheless, the war’s economic impact remains a concern for Americans; Iran’s de facto blockade of regional oil exports has pushed U.S. gasoline prices to near‑record levels.

The Trump administration has pledged new economic pressure on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing on Monday that the U.S. will target all of Iran’s revenue sources—including oil—to prevent other nations and firms from dealing with Tehran; the initiative is called “Operation Economic Outcast.”

A growing majority of Americans expect the war to continue for an extended period; 83% of respondents said they believe the conflict will persist, up from 80% earlier this month.

The prospect of a protracted war poses a challenge for Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on promises to curb inflation and pursue an “America First” strategy that avoids foreign military engagements.

Six months into the conflict, gasoline prices are more than $1 per gallon higher than pre‑war levels, adding economic pressure ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Higher fuel costs may also create difficulties for Republicans defending narrow congressional majorities.

The poll indicates that independent voters favor Democrats over Republicans for a congressional election; 33% of independents said they would vote for a Democrat, versus 19% who would choose a Republican.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey questioned 1,215 adults across the United States over four days and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points in either direction.

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