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Americans Concerned About U.S. Military Actions in Iran, Rising Gas Prices, Poll Shows
Most Americans believe the United States has gone too far in its military actions against Iran, according to a new poll that also reveals growing concerns about gasoline affordability as the conflict enters its fourth week.
The survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that while President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain stable, the ongoing conflict could become a significant political liability for his Republican administration.
Approximately 59% of Americans consider U.S. military action in Iran excessive, even as Trump continues to deploy additional warships and troops to the Middle East. The conflict has sparked economic anxieties at home, with 45% of respondents now “extremely” or “very” concerned about their ability to afford gasoline in the coming months—a sharp increase from 30% in a previous AP-NORC poll conducted shortly after Trump’s reelection.
Despite these concerns, there is broad support for one of Trump’s key objectives: preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. About two-thirds of Americans consider this an “extremely” or “very” important foreign policy goal. However, an equal percentage prioritize keeping oil and gas prices from rising, creating a potential policy dilemma for the White House.
Trump’s overall approval rating stands at about 40%, unchanged from previous months. His approval on foreign policy, while slightly lower, has also remained relatively consistent despite the escalating conflict. The president has sent mixed signals about his next steps, alternating between escalating threats and suggestions of diplomatic resolutions.
The rare issue uniting Americans across the political spectrum is the desire to keep gasoline prices low. Approximately three-quarters of Republicans and two-thirds of Democrats agree this is a highly important goal. However, the immediate concern about affording gas is more pronounced among Democrats, with about 60% expressing serious worry compared to only 30% of Republicans.
Political divisions are more evident regarding Iran’s nuclear program, with about 80% of Republicans considering it at least “very” important to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, compared to roughly 50% of Democrats. The conflict has intensified debates over Israel’s role in U.S. foreign policy, particularly since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a leading advocate for military action against Iran. Only about 40% of Americans believe preventing Iran from threatening Israel should be a high priority.
Even fewer—approximately 30%—believe replacing Iran’s government with one more aligned with U.S. interests should be a top objective.
The poll reveals clear partisan differences in perceptions of U.S. military actions. About 90% of Democrats and 60% of independents believe the attacks on Iran have “gone too far.” Republicans are more divided, with about half saying the military response has been “about right,” and only about 20% believing it hasn’t gone far enough. Roughly 25% of Republicans think the actions have been excessive.
Any further escalation could deepen public opposition. About 60% of Americans—including about 80% of Democrats and roughly half of Republicans—oppose deploying U.S. ground troops to fight Iran. Just under half oppose airstrikes targeting Iranian leaders or military installations.
Trust in Trump’s judgment regarding military force remains low, with about half of U.S. adults expressing “only a little” trust or “none at all” in his decision-making on using military force abroad. His approval rating on foreign policy stands at 34%, comparable to his 35% approval specifically regarding Iran.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,150 adults between March 19-23 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
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10 Comments
This poll highlights the public’s unease with the escalating tensions and military actions against Iran. While the nuclear threat is serious, the American people seem to want a more measured, diplomatic response that avoids further economic and security risks.
Agreed. Finding a balanced solution that addresses Iran’s nuclear ambitions while minimizing the negative impacts on the US economy and public will be critical.
This poll reflects the public’s unease with the direction of the US-Iran conflict. Preventing nuclear proliferation is important, but the human and economic costs of military action appear to be weighing heavily.
Absolutely, the American public seems to be losing faith in the current approach. A more balanced strategy focused on diplomacy and sanctions may be warranted.
Interesting to see the public sentiment shifting against the current US military strategy toward Iran. Preventing nuclear proliferation is vital, but the economic and security costs appear to be concerning many Americans.
Concerning that the majority of Americans feel the military actions have gone too far. The economic impacts, especially on fuel prices, are clearly a growing worry for many households.
Yes, the administration will need to carefully balance its Iran policy with the needs and concerns of the American people. Finding a diplomatic solution may be the best path forward.
Interesting to see the public’s growing concerns about the escalating situation with Iran. While the US aims to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the military actions seem to be causing economic anxiety at home.
I agree, the rising gas prices are a real concern for many Americans. Diplomacy and de-escalation may be a better path forward.
The public seems to be questioning the necessity and effectiveness of the current US military approach toward Iran. Preventing nuclear proliferation is crucial, but the economic and human costs are clearly worrying many Americans.