How many Americans support the airstrikes against Iran ordered by President Donald Trump this weekend? Do they think the strikes should continue? How concerned are they about a full scale war with Iran? The Washington Post sent a message to 1,003 Americans on Sunday.
A flash poll found that more Americans oppose strikes than support them. Perceptions of Trump’s goals vary widely, though a clear majority say his administration has not clearly outlined them. Still, nearly half think the actions of the US military contribute to long-term US security.
The survey was conducted between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, coinciding with reports that three American soldiers had been killed and five seriously wounded.
Participant answers were lightly edited for clarity and style.
Do you support or oppose President Donald Trump ordering airstrikes against Iran this weekend?
Americans oppose Trump ordering airstrikes on Iran by 52 percent to 39 percent; 9 percent say they are not sure. Opponents are more passionate, with 4 in 10 strongly opposing strikes, while 2 in 10 strongly supporting them.
Overall US
39%
In the “undecided” group, 39 percent responded with “support.”
9
In the “undecided” group, 9 percent responded “not sure.”
52
In the “undecided” group, 52 percent responded “opposed.”
Republican
81
In the “undecided” group, 81 percent responded with “support.”
7
In the “undecided” group, 7 percent responded “not sure.”
12
Among the “undecided” group, 12 percent responded “opposed.”
Democrats
9
In the “undecided” group, 9 percent responded with “support.”
4
In the “undecided” group, 4 percent responded “not sure.”
87
In the “undecided” group, 87 percent responded “opposed.”
Independents/Others
28
In the “undecided” group, 28 percent responded with “support.”
14
In the “undecided” group, 14 percent responded “not sure.”
59
In the “undecided” group, 59 percent responded “opposed.”
The popularity of strikes is driven by political independents, who oppose by about 2 to 1, 59 to 28 percent. The partisans lined up as expected, with 8 in 10 Republicans supporting strikes and nearly 9 in 10 Democrats opposing them.
The survey finds sharp differences by gender and age. Men are roughly split on strikes, while women are opposed by a 26-point margin (58 percent to 32 percent). And while more than 6 in 10 adults under the age of 40 oppose strikes, more people aged 50-64 support them. People aged 65 or older are divided.
This is not our problem.
Texas woman, 43, independent
To give the people of Iran a chance for an independent country and to stop using nuclear weapons against us and Israel.
Michigan woman, 76, Republican
Congressional approval was required and the president neither sought nor received it. We are at war.
Arizona man, 34, Democrat
Because they are protecting US interests and destabilizing a dangerous regime that has openly said it wants to destroy America.
Illinois man, 61, Republican
He ran on the platform of stopping the war and failed to do so, but committed acts of war.
New York woman, 54, independent
Many who support the strikes cite a desire to halt Iran’s nuclear program, opposition to the country’s regime, support for the Iranian people or faith in Trump’s leadership. Opponents focused on the lack of congressional approval of the measures, which were an unnecessary escalation, or expressed moral opposition to the war.
Do you think the US should continue military strikes against Iran or stop military strikes for now?
Nearly twice as many Americans say the US should stop rather than continue strikes on Iran, although 3 in 10 say they are unsure.
Overall US
25%
Among the “undecided” group, 25 percent responded “continue the strikes.”
28
In the “undecided” group, 28 percent responded “not sure.”
47
Among the “undecided” group, 47 percent responded “stop the strikes.”
Republican
54
Among the “undecided” group, 54 percent responded “continue the strikes.”
29
In the “undecided” group, 29 percent responded “not sure.”
16
Among the “undecided” group, 16 percent responded “stop the strikes.”
Democrats
4
Among the “undecided” group, 4 percent responded “continue the strikes.”
19
In the “undecided” group, 19 percent responded “not sure.”
76
Among the “undecided” group, 76 percent responded “stop the strikes.”
Independents/Others
16
Among the “undecided” group, 16 percent responded “continue the strikes.”
34
In the “undecided” group, 34 percent responded “not sure.”
51
Among the “undecided” group, 51 percent responded “stop the strikes.”
54 percent of Republicans say the United States should continue strikes against Iran, down from 81 percent who support Trump’s initial order. Fewer than 2 in 10 independents support continued strikes, half say they should stop, and roughly a third are unsure.
What do you think is the Trump administration’s main goal of the US military operation in Iran?
Show power/take control
14%
Help the Iranians/stabilize the region
12%
Stopping the nuclear program
9%
Stay away from Epstein/other issues
8%
Protecting the US and Allies
7%
Open-ended question, responses are categorized into categories. 17 percent cited other reasons.
The survey asked Americans to describe in their words the Trump administration’s main goal of the US military operation in Iran. Perceptions are widely dispersed, with some saying Trump’s goal is to demonstrate US power, while others focus on regime change; helping Iranians; halting Iran’s nuclear program; Or American interests in money and oil. Others said they were unsure of the administration’s goals.
We need to show them that we are not fools, we mean business.
New Jersey woman, 63, Republican
I have no idea.
Ohio woman, 54, Democrat
Oil and the Strait of Hormuz for money and power.
Indiana woman, 27, independent
Destruction of Iran’s missile and nuclear programs and giving the Iranian people a chance to reclaim their nation.
California man, 61, Republican
In a separate yes-no question, two-thirds say the Trump administration has not clearly defined the goals of military action against Iran, compared with 68 percent who said the same in a CBS News-YouGov poll before the strikes. 2 in 3 Republicans say Trump has now clarified why he is taking military action, while 1 in 3 say he has not.
With the death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei, do you think the Trump administration has achieved its goals or not?
About 3 in 10 US adults say the Trump administration has achieved its goals since the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while nearly 7 in 10 say it has not. Nearly half of Republicans (48 percent) say Trump’s goals were accomplished with Khamenei’s death, down from 24 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of independents.
How concerned are you about the possibility of the US engaging in full-scale war with Iran?
Three-quarters of Americans worry about the possibility of full-scale war with Iran, with 40 percent “very concerned.” Those worries are similar to those of a post poll after the US and Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. Today, about half (51 percent) of Republicans say they are somewhat concerned about full-scale war, rising to 80 percent of independents and 93 percent of Democrats.
Do you think US military actions do or do not contribute to the long-term security of the United States?
Americans are split down the middle on whether or not US military actions contribute to the long-term security of the United States, marking the most upbeat assessment of the conflict in the poll yet. By comparison, majorities felt that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars contributed to long-term security in the early stages of those campaigns, with optimism declining over time.
A quarter of Democrats predict US security will improve by 24 percent, along with 41 percent of independents and 83 percent of Republicans.
The poll found that Americans are closely divided on how US military actions will affect the Iranian people: 34 percent say they will benefit, 30 percent will be harmed, and 36 percent are unsure.
About this story
This Washington Post poll was conducted via text message on March 1, among a random national sample of 1,003 US adults from the SSRS opinion panel, a survey panel recruited through a random sample of US households. The sample is weighted to match US population demographics, partisanship, and 2024 vote choice. Overall results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
Open-ended responses were compiled and coded by BTIInsights, an AI open-ended coding software that categorizes responses into similar categories. Each response was then reviewed by a member of the post polling team, reclassified, if necessary, to ensure it was accurately classified. Category names were also edited after review of all codes in each group.
Analysis by Scott Clement and Isabelle Gibson. Development by Irfan Uraiji and Eric Lau. Designed by Shikha Subramaniam. Edited by Maureen Link and Noah Bierman. Copy editing by Emily Marmon.
