Reuters poll: Only 27% of Americans approve of US strikes on Iran

Only about one in four Americans approves of the U.S. strikes that killed Iran’s leader, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll concluded on March 1.

The survey found that 27% of respondents said they approved of the strikes, while 43% disapproved and 29% were unsure. Around nine in ten respondents said they had heard at least something about the operation, which began early on February 28.

The poll showed that 56% of Americans believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force to advance U.S. interests. This view was held by 87% of Democrats, 23% of Republicans and 60% of independents. Trump has also ordered strikes in Venezuela, Syria and Nigeria in recent months.

The poll was conducted during the strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel and closed before the U.S. military announced its first casualties. Three U.S. service members have since been killed and five seriously wounded in the operation, which has plunged the Middle East into a new and unpredictable conflict.

While 55% of Republicans said they approved of the strikes and 13% disapproved, the poll found that 42% of Republicans would be less likely to support the Iran campaign if it led to U.S. troops in the Middle East being killed or injured.

Trump’s presidential approval rating edged down to 39%, one percentage point lower than in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from February 18 to 23.

The strikes began three days before the first primaries of the U.S. midterm elections, which will determine whether Trump’s Republicans retain their congressional majorities for the next two years. Previous Reuters/Ipsos polling has consistently shown that voters’ primary concern ahead of the elections is the economy, rather than foreign policy.

The latest survey also indicated that 45% of respondents — including 34% of Republicans and 44% of independents — would be less likely to support the Iran campaign if gasoline or oil prices rise in the United States.

Brent crude prices surged 10% to about $80 per barrel in over-the-counter trading on March 1, according to oil traders, with analysts predicting prices could climb as high as $100 amid the escalating conflict.

The most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses online from 1,282 U.S. adults nationwide and had a margin of error of three percentage points.

By Sabina Mammadli