Early Saturday, the U.S. Military began “major combat operations in Iran,” alongside a preemptive strike launched by Israel. This action comes as the nation remains divided on the path forward, with most Americans believing the U.S. Should be engaging with Iranian leadership in some capacity.
Public Sentiment and the Road to Conflict
Polling conducted just before the strikes revealed a split nation, though a shift toward supporting military action to halt Iran’s nuclear program occurred following President Trump’s State of the Union address on February 24. Americans expressed uncertainty about the potential length of a conflict, with more anticipating months or years of fighting rather than a swift resolution. Those who believed the conflict would be short were more likely to favor military action.
A majority of Americans favor economic or diplomatic pressure over military force to address the current Iranian leadership, though a substantial majority believe some form of U.S. Engagement is necessary. Overwhelmingly, people believe that Congress should approve any military action.
Economic Concerns and Presidential Approval
The optimism regarding the economy expressed by President Trump in his State of the Union address is not widely shared. Expectations point toward a slowing economy, or even a recession, and overall ratings of the U.S. Economy remain negative. A sizable majority of Americans believe the president downplays the severity of inflation.
Prior to the strikes, President Trump’s approval rating for his handling of Iran was slightly higher than his overall approval, though still net negative. His overall approval had seen a slight increase in the weeks leading up to the action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the public’s initial reaction to the possibility of conflict with Iran?
Prior to the strikes, the public was uncertain about how long a conflict with Iran would last, with more believing it would be a prolonged engagement. Views on the duration of a potential conflict were closely tied to support for military action.
What did polling reveal about preferred strategies for dealing with the Iranian regime?
More Americans favored U.S. Economic or diplomatic pressure rather than military force to remove the Iranian ruling regime, but a substantial majority thought the U.S. Ought to be engaging in some form.
Did Americans believe the President had adequately explained the U.S. Position on Iran?
The number of Americans who felt the president had explained the U.S. Position ticked up a bit following the State of the Union, but as of the start of the action, he still hadn’t satisfied a large majority of Americans.
As the situation unfolds, how might the evolving economic climate and public opinion influence the trajectory of this conflict?
