New poll shows more Americans oppose than support U.S. airstrikes on Iran

More Americans are opposed rather than supportive of the recent U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to a new national poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos. The survey shows a significant partisan divide, with most Republicans backing President Donald Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes against Iran in order to prevent the Islamic State from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Among the adult Americans surveyed, 36% expressed support for the airstrikes, while 45% were opposed, and 18% were unsure or did not respond. However, within the Republican party, 69% supported the military strikes, with 17% opposed. In contrast, only 13% of Democrats supported the attack, with nearly three-quarters opposed. Among independents, support for the airstrikes stood at 29%, with nearly half opposed.

The poll was conducted on Sunday and Monday following the attacks, which President Trump announced to the nation on Saturday evening. The airstrikes came after a series of exchanges between Iran and Israel, triggered by an initial Israeli attack on Iranian territory.

In terms of approval for Trump’s handling of Iran, just over a third (35%) of those surveyed approved, while half indicated disapproval. The approval ratings showed a stark partisan divide, with 70% of Republicans supporting Trump’s approach, compared to only 10% of Democrats and 28% of independents.

Following the attacks, Trump declared that the strikes were a “spectacular military success” and claimed that Iran’s key nuclear facilities had been completely destroyed. However, independent experts analyzing commercial satellite imagery of Iran’s facilities after the attack suggest that Tehran’s nuclear program remains intact.

The poll also revealed that 60% of respondents believe that U.S. airstrikes on Iran will not enhance America’s safety, with 36% expressing the opposite view. There was a clear partisan split on this issue, with just 12% of Democrats, 29% of independents, and two-thirds of Republicans believing that the strikes will enhance national security.

Additionally, four in five respondents expressed concerns that Iran may retaliate by targeting U.S. civilians in response to the airstrikes.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,132 adult Americans, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

In conclusion, the poll results highlight the deep partisan divisions among Americans regarding the recent military strikes on Iran and President Trump’s handling of the situation. The concerns raised about the efficacy of the airstrikes and the potential for retaliatory actions underscore the complex and delicate nature of U.S.-Iran relations in the current geopolitical landscape.