Most respondents believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force
A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Monday indicated that only one in four Americans approve of US military action against Iran.
Massive US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Saturday, killing hundreds of civilians including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Tehran hosts US military bases with airstrikes on Israel and several Gulf states.
A weekend poll of roughly 1,300 US adults found only 27% approved of strikes, 43% approved and 29% were unsure. Furthermore, 56% of Americans – including one in four Republicans – say US President Donald Trump has ordered strikes in Venezuela, Syria and Nigeria in recent months. “Very willing to use military force” Under the guise of advancing US interests.
While 55% of Republicans approved of the strikes, 42% said they would be less likely to support the Iran campaign if US troops were killed or wounded. Voting was closed before the Pentagon confirmed late Sunday that three US soldiers had been killed and several others wounded.
Fear of fuel prices also weighed: 45% said they would be less likely to support the campaign if gas or oil prices rose. Global oil prices jumped 13% on Monday on concerns about tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that carries about 20% of global oil and gas supplies.
Reaction to the campaign on Capitol Hill has been divided. Republican senators largely supported Trump’s decision, with Lindsey Graham praising “Setting the Motion for a Bad and Dark End” in the Middle East. However, most Democrats accused the president of first bypassing Congress “Drawing Our Country Into Another Foreign War” As Adam Schiff said. Bernie Sanders called the strikes “Illegal, Premeditated and Unconstitutional War” That violates international law, but Tim Kaine labeled them “a big mistake” And he said he would push for a vote this week on a war powers resolution to curb Trump’s ability to use force against Iran without congressional approval.
“This is a president who has run away from ending wars and has used the military without congressional authorization in many other places…and where’s next? We don’t know,” He said Sunday that even a failed vote could pressure the White House to change course or release more details earlier.
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According to earlier reports, Secretary of State Marco Rubio only notified the Gang of Eight — a small bipartisan group of congressional leaders — hours before the operation began.
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