US Public Sees Trump as 'Paper Tiger', Support for Iran Policy Plummets
Public support in the United States for President Donald Trump’s war against Iran continues to erode. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows only one in four Americans believe the conflict has been worth the cost, while a majority doubt that a ceasefire and deal with Tehran will last.
The five-day survey, which concluded on Monday, also reveals a significant political toll on Trump. His public approval rating has dropped to 34%, matching the lowest point of his second term recorded in a previous Reuters/Ipsos poll in April.
The findings come as the Trump administration seeks to maintain backing for an initial agreement signed with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on 17 June. The deal aims to reopen oil and gas shipping lanes disrupted by the war and ease some US-led economic pressure on Iran.
Although the agreement has helped quickly push down global crude oil prices, many Americans have yet to feel direct benefits. Fuel prices in the US remain significantly higher than before the combined US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February that triggered the war.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that only 24% of Americans consider the war against Iran worth the cost. Conversely, about half of respondents said the conflict was not worthwhile, with the remainder unsure.
Public opinion also reflects deep scepticism about the war’s outcomes. Only 23% of Americans believe their country’s position against Iran is now stronger than before the war, a figure that includes just about half of Republican voters. By contrast, 35% think the US position has become weaker, while the rest are uncertain or see no change.
Doubt extends beyond the war itself to the peace being negotiated. Sixty-three percent of Americans are not confident that the deal signed by Trump will produce lasting peace between Washington and Tehran. This scepticism crosses party lines, with roughly half of Republicans and eight in ten Democrats expressing doubt. Only 18% of Americans believe long-term peace is possible.
The Iran war is also proving to be a major test of Trump’s political image. He won the 2024 presidential election on promises to lower inflation and keep America out of costly foreign wars. His political brand was built over years on a reputation as a property mogul and television personality skilled at making deals. However, the latest poll suggests many voters are now questioning his leadership effectiveness, particularly regarding the cost of living. Trump’s approval rating on handling the cost of living stands at just 22%, near his all-time low and even below the rating received by his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, at the end of his term. Trump began his second term with a 47% approval rating.
The decline in Trump’s popularity poses a potential threat to the Republican Party ahead of the midterm Congressional elections on 3 November. The poll indicates that only 17% of registered independent voters would choose a Republican candidate in their district if the election were held today, compared to 34% who would vote for a Democrat.
Beyond the Iran war, immigration is also becoming a heavier political burden for Trump. The survey shows only 37% of Americans approve of his handling of immigration, the lowest level of his second term and down from 40% in a previous Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,262 adults across the United States and has a margin of error of approximately three percentage points.