Americans Pull Back on Iran War Support Amid Trump Approval Lows

A new poll shows Americans are pulling back from support for the war on Iran while President Donald Trump hits an all-time low in approval ratings. The Reuters/Ipsos survey released Monday highlights three main drivers behind this shift: waning Republican backing, soaring gas prices, and a growing fear that the conflict will drag on for months or years.

Just 31 percent of those surveyed say they want US military action against Iran to continue. That is down from 37 percent in March and 34 percent earlier this month. The drop is sharpest among Republicans. Support fell to 69 percent now, compared with 77 percent back in March. Public backing for the war has sunk to its lowest point since the fighting began at the start of the conflict.

Trump's standing takes another hit as a result. For the second straight Reuters/Ipsos survey, only 33 percent of respondents approve of his performance as president. That ties the lowest rating ever recorded in this specific polling series across both his terms. It is a grim record for an administration that faced heavy pressure before it even started.

Trump has argued the military campaign was necessary to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon. The war kicked off on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Yet economic consequences are weighing heavily on public opinion right now. Iran effectively blocks oil exports from the region, pushing US petrol prices near record highs.

The Trump administration has also promised tighter economic pressure on Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that Washington would target every source of Iran's revenue, including its oil sector. The goal is to stop other nations and companies from doing business with the Iranian government. Officials call this strategy "Operation Economic Outcast."

Most Americans expect the fighting to last a long time. Eighty-three percent believe the conflict will continue for an extended period, up from 80 percent just weeks ago. That outlook clashes directly with Trump's 2024 campaign promises. He vowed to lower inflation and avoid foreign entanglements under an "America First" approach.

It has been six months since hostilities began, and fuel costs are more than one dollar per gallon higher than before the war started. Those numbers add pressure ahead of November's midterm elections. Higher gas bills could also hurt Republicans holding narrow majorities in Congress.

The poll suggests independents lean Democratic when it comes to congressional races held today. Among independent voters, 33 percent said they would pick a Democrat, while only 19 percent chose a Republican. That gap widens the challenge for the GOP as midterm approaches.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey questioned 1,215 adults across the United States over four days. The margin of error is 3 percentage points in either direction. These numbers paint a clear picture: war fatigue is spreading fast, and economic pain is turning voters away from the administration's current path.