A new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday shows that U.S. public support for the war with Iran has reached its lowest point since the conflict began in February. According to the survey, 31% of Americans now support military action against Iran, a decrease from 37% in March and 34% earlier in August. This decline in support has contributed to President Donald Trump's job approval rating remaining at a record low of 33%.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. President Trump stated the military action was necessary to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. While active combat has decreased in recent months, Iran has maintained a blockade on regional oil exports. This blockade has contributed to U.S. gasoline prices reaching near-record highs, rising by more than a dollar per gallon since the war started.
The poll of 1,215 adults, conducted from August 21 to August 24, found that 69% of Republicans support the war, down from 77% in March. Among other groups, 8% of Democrats and 23% of Independents expressed support. Additionally, 83% of respondents said they expect the war to continue for an extended period, an increase from 80% reported earlier this month.
The economic impact is also felt at the federal policy level. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that the administration is considering expanding sanctions on countries that conduct business with Iran. However, the administration has not yet implemented these penalties. The delay in imposing new sanctions reflects the complex nature of the ongoing conflict and the administration's efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran without further destabilizing regional markets.
What happens next depends on the administration's upcoming decisions regarding these potential sanctions and the progress of the military campaign. Voters will cast ballots in the midterm elections on November 3, which will determine control of the House and Senate. The Reuters/Ipsos poll had a margin of error of 3 percentage points for the total sample and between 4 and 6 percentage points for specific demographic subgroups.