Trump faces backlash as only one in four Americans back US strikes on Iran, poll shows
WASHINGTON, DC: A new poll released on March 1, 2026, in the wake of the US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of recent US military action against Iran, and only a small minority supports the attacks.
The polling data highlights deep divisions among the public and across party lines about President Donald Trump’s decision to launch the strikes in coordination with Israel. The conflict has also resulted in American casualties and growing debate in the US about foreign policy and military engagement.
A man waved a picture of Trump and Netanyahu as the Iranian community celebrated in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2026 (Mario Tama/Getty Images)Public opinion on US strikes on Iran
According to the poll concluded on March 1, only 27% of Americans approve of US military strikes on Iran that began with joint US and Israeli action. In contrast, 43% of respondents disapprove of the strikes, and 29% are unsure how they feel.
The poll reflects public reaction taken during the early stages of the conflict, before the US announced American military casualties. The poll, which surveyed 1,282 US adults, also reveals stark partisan divides.
Nearly 87% of Democrats believe Trump is too willing to use military force, compared with only 23% of Republicans and 60% of independents who feel the same. The polling also suggests that a majority of Americans see Trump’s willingness to deploy force as weakening America’s standing globally.
Concerns about further escalation also shaped public opinion. A significant portion of respondents, including many Republicans said they would be less likely to support ongoing military action if it results in US troops being killed or injured.
Furthermore, anxiety about rising fuel and oil prices in the US could further dampen support for the campaign and could affect Trump's standing in the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Americans divided over Trump’s military action
In recent months, Trump has also ordered military action in Venezuela, Syria and Nigeria. In a CBS News/YouGov poll conducted a day before the strikes on Iran, 51% of respondents said they would favor US military action to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
However, when asked about preferred approaches toward Iran's current leadership, a majority of CBS poll respondents favored diplomacy or sanctions over military action, at 38% and 22%, respectively.
Only 18% wanted the US to remove Iran’s leadership by force, while 22% preferred no engagement at all.
Similarly, a University of Maryland poll conducted in early February found that 49% of Americans opposed the US initiating an attack on Iran, and another 30% were unsure of their stance. Support for military action was highest among Republicans at 40%, compared with 21% of independents and just 6% of Democrats.
Trump and members of his administration have argued that Iran posed an imminent threat, repeatedly claiming that the country was close to developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles capable of striking the United States.
Iranian media, citing the Red Crescent, reported more than 200 deaths and over 700 wounded in the strikes.
