Archive · 25 Aug 2026
US-Iran War Support Falls as Sanctions Strategy Expands
A new poll says fewer Americans support the US military operation in Iran.
Only 31% approved of it, which is the lowest level since the conflict began.
Support was higher in March and earlier this month.
The report says more Republicans are now against the war.
The White House says the poll is not important and that President Trump is protecting Americans.
The US government is also trying to pressure Iran through economic sanctions.
These sanctions may affect countries and businesses that continue trading with Iran.
American troops are still in the Middle East, so the military situation has not fully ended.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 31% approve of US military operations in Iran, the lowest level since the conflict began.
Support fell from 37% in March and 34% earlier this month, with growing Republican opposition cited as a factor.
The White House dismissed the poll, saying President Donald Trump’s decisive action is keeping Americans safe.
The administration is shifting toward an “economic onslaught” involving expanded sanctions and secondary penalties against countries trading with Iran.
US sanctions efforts target digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping, while American troops remain deployed in the Middle East.
- Who
- The US administration, President Donald Trump, Iran, and Americans surveyed in the Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- What
- Public approval of US military operations in Iran has fallen to 31% as Washington expands sanctions and shifts toward economic pressure.
- When
- The poll was released Monday local time, as the conflict entered its sixth month after beginning on February 28.
- Where
- The military operation concerns Iran, while US troops remain deployed in the Middle East.
- Why
- The administration says it is acting to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and to pressure the Iranian regime by cutting off its economic revenue.
Poll Findings and Critics
White House and Administration
Public support for the war
Poll Findings and Critics
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that approval has dropped to 31%, with growing Republican opposition cited as a reason for the decline.
White House and Administration
The White House dismissed the findings, saying what matters is decisive action to eliminate threats and keep Americans safe.
Trump’s polling response
Poll Findings and Critics
The poll indicates declining support for the military operation, while a separate YouGov/Economist projection reportedly showed President Trump’s approval was negative in most states.
White House and Administration
Trump called unfavorable polls “Fake Polls” and said the actual polls and national spirit were strong.
Military versus economic pressure
Poll Findings and Critics
The lack of easing during the conflict’s sixth month and continued troop deployment suggest that military involvement remains significant.
White House and Administration
Administration officials say Washington is shifting toward expanded sanctions designed to sever Iran’s economic lifelines, while continuing to increase weapons production.
- Current approval
- 31% approve of US military operations in Iran.
- Previous approval
- Approval was 37% in March and 34% earlier this month.
- Conflict start
- The conflict began on February 28 and has entered its sixth month.
- US strategy
- The administration is shifting toward an economic pressure campaign described as “economic onslaught” and “economic asphyxiation.”
- Sanctions targets
- The campaign focuses on digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping.
- Secondary sanctions
- Countries that do not join the US campaign could face penalties and possible exclusion from the US financial system.
- Military presence
- US troops remain deployed in the Middle East.