Support for the ongoing conflict in Iran among Americans has declined to its lowest level since the war began five months ago, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from July 24 to July 26. The survey found that only about one in three respondents back U.S. military involvement, while a majority expressed frustration over the lack of clear communication from President Donald Trump regarding the conflict’s objectives.
The conflict, which intensified following U.S. and Israeli strikes launched on February 28, has resulted in the deaths of 18 American soldiers and thousands of casualties in Iran and Lebanon, where Iran-aligned groups have clashed with Israeli forces. The war has also contributed to rising gasoline prices nationwide, averaging over $4 per gallon, up from approximately $3 prior to the conflict’s outbreak.
The poll revealed that 69% of Americans, including roughly 40% of Republicans, believe Trump has not clearly articulated the goals of U.S. involvement. The president has offered varying reasons for the military campaign, ranging from supporting regime change in Iran to disabling its ballistic missile capabilities and preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales emphasized that Trump would not base decisions on fluctuating opinion polls and reiterated the administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear arms. She stated, “What matters most to the American people is having a commander in chief who takes bold action to keep them safe.”
Trump’s overall approval rating showed a modest increase to 37%, up three points from June, a month when his rating had tied the lowest of his presidency. However, political analysts suggest the war and its economic impacts pose challenges for the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections, where the party holds narrow majorities in Congress. Alex Conant, a Republican strategist and former White House spokesman during George W. Bush’s administration, noted that economic concerns are undermining the GOP’s messaging, stating, “It’s hard to win the economic arguments when you’re clearly focused on foreign policy.”
Public opinion appears divided among voters. Alex Womack, a retired turbine repair specialist and former U.S. Marine from Stockbridge, Georgia, said he no longer supports Trump’s handling of the war, contrasting it with his approval of past Republican leadership during the Gulf War. Conversely, some, like independent voter Rhyan Anderson from Fairburn, Georgia, who supported Trump in 2024, expressed a preference for greater presidential focus on domestic issues rather than foreign conflicts, particularly U.S. support for Israel.
As the conflict continues, questions about its duration and objectives persist. Trump had initially projected the war would last four to five weeks, a timeline that has since extended without resolution, drawing comparisons to prolonged U.S. engagements in prior decades—parallels Trump has publicly rejected. The ongoing war remains a prominent concern for Americans as the country prepares for the upcoming elections.