A recent poll by The Washington Post reveals a stark divide in American public opinion regarding President Donald Trump's airstrikes on Iran. The survey, conducted among 1,003 U.S. adults via text message on March 1, 2026, sheds light on the complex emotions and perspectives surrounding this contentious issue.
The poll uncovered that a majority of Americans (52%) oppose Trump's decision to order airstrikes against Iran, with only 39% supporting the action. This opposition is particularly strong among political independents, who overwhelmingly (59%) disapprove. In contrast, Republicans are more supportive, with 81% backing the strikes, while Democrats are firmly against them, with 87% opposing the action.
When asked about the potential continuation of military strikes, a significant portion of Americans (47%) advocate for a cessation, while only 25% are in favor of continuing the strikes. This sentiment is most pronounced among Democrats, with 76% opposing further strikes, and least among Republicans, with 16% in favor.
The poll also probed into the perceived goals of the Trump administration's military action in Iran. Responses varied widely, with some respondents citing the desire to demonstrate U.S. power, change the Iranian regime, help the Iranian people, stop Iran's nuclear program, or protect U.S. interests in oil and the Strait of Hormuz. However, a substantial number of Americans (13%) expressed uncertainty about the administration's objectives.
The death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei sparked further debate. Only 31% of Americans believe the Trump administration has achieved its goals post-Khamenei's death, while a majority (69%) disagree. This view is shared by a majority of Democrats (24%) and a minority of Republicans (48%), with the majority of independents (23%) falling in between.
Concerns about a potential full-scale war with Iran are prevalent, with 75% of Americans expressing worry, including 40% who are 'very concerned.' This sentiment is shared across party lines, with 80% of independents and 93% of Democrats expressing concern. However, Republicans are more optimistic, with 51% saying they are at least somewhat concerned.
Despite the controversy, a significant portion of Americans (49%) believe that U.S. military actions will contribute to long-term U.S. security, while a similar number (51%) disagree. This divide reflects differing perspectives on the conflict's impact on U.S. security and the Iranian people, with 34% expecting benefits and 30% anticipating harm.
The poll's methodology involved a random national sample of U.S. adults from the SSRS Opinion Panel, with results weighted to match U.S. population demographics, partisanship, and 2024 vote choice. The margin of sampling error is estimated at plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
