WASHINGTON, Aug 24 – President Donald Trump’s approval rating remained at its lowest level recorded in national polling as Americans showed growing reluctance to support the United States’ military campaign against Iran, according to a new national poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos.
The survey found that only 31% of Americans support continued U.S. military action against Iran, a notable decline from 37% in March and 34% earlier this month. The change was particularly visible among Republican voters, whose support for the conflict has weakened despite Trump’s continued argument that military pressure on Tehran is necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
At the same time, Trump’s overall job approval remained at 33% for a second consecutive survey. That figure matches the lowest approval level recorded for him in Reuters/Ipsos polling during either of his two terms in the White House.
The findings point to a difficult political environment for the president as the conflict enters its sixth month. Americans are increasingly concerned that the war could continue for a prolonged period, while the economic consequences, particularly higher gasoline prices, are adding to pressure on the administration.
Americans Grow More Skeptical of Military Action
The decline in support for the war comes as the administration continues to defend its strategy toward Iran. Trump has repeatedly said the military campaign was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and has presented the conflict as part of a broader effort to protect U.S. national security.
The war began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran. Although the intensity of the fighting has eased in recent months, the conflict has not produced a clear political resolution. Iran has also maintained what the poll description characterized as a de facto blockade affecting oil exports from the region, contributing to pressure on global energy markets.
For Americans, the economic consequences have become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Gasoline prices in the United States are now more than $1 per gallon higher than they were before the war, according to the information accompanying the poll. The increase comes at a politically sensitive time for Trump, who returned to the White House after campaigning on promises to reduce inflation, lower costs for households and avoid becoming entangled in lengthy foreign wars.
The shift in public opinion is also significant among Republicans. About 69% of Republican respondents said they support U.S. military action against Iran, down from 77% in March. While Republicans remain considerably more supportive of the conflict than Democrats or independents, the decline suggests that continued fighting and rising economic costs are beginning to affect the president’s political base.
Trump’s standing among the broader public has also remained weak. Only about one-third of respondents approved of his performance as president, leaving him at the same record-low level reported in the previous survey.
The numbers come less than three months before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, when Republicans will attempt to defend narrow majorities in Congress. Rising fuel prices and concerns over a prolonged war could therefore become important political issues as candidates seek to persuade voters.
White House Faces Pressure Over Length of War
The latest poll also revealed that Americans are becoming increasingly pessimistic about how quickly the conflict will end.
About 83% of respondents said they expect the war to continue for an “extended period of time.” That figure was 80% earlier this month, indicating that expectations of a long conflict are becoming more widespread.
The perception of an open-ended war creates a challenge for Trump, whose political message has frequently emphasized strength abroad while also promising voters that the United States would not become trapped in another prolonged military engagement.
The administration has attempted to increase economic pressure on Iran as an alternative to expanding military operations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that Washington was considering a possible expansion of sanctions against countries conducting business with Iran. However, the administration stopped short of immediately imposing new penalties.
That decision highlights the complexity facing U.S. officials. Increasing sanctions could further isolate Iran and place additional pressure on its economy, but aggressive economic measures could also complicate diplomatic efforts and potentially increase tensions in an already unstable region.
The political implications are extending beyond the war itself. Independent voters surveyed in the poll said they would favor Democratic candidates over Republican candidates in congressional elections if voting were held at the time of the survey. Among independents, 33% said they would support Democrats, compared with 19% who chose Republicans.
That gap could become significant in closely contested congressional races, particularly if concerns about inflation, gasoline prices and foreign policy remain prominent among voters.
The poll surveyed 1,215 adults across the United States over four days and had a margin of error of approximately three percentage points in either direction.
The results do not suggest that Americans have uniformly turned against Trump’s Iran policy. A substantial majority of Republicans continue to support military action, and the president retains stronger backing within his own party than among the wider electorate.
But the broader trend presents a more complicated picture. Support for the war has fallen nationally, Republican backing has declined from earlier in the year, and an overwhelming share of Americans now expects the conflict to continue for a long time.
For Trump, that combination could make the Iran war increasingly difficult to separate from domestic political concerns. As the administration weighs further sanctions and other forms of pressure on Tehran, voters are also watching the cost of the conflict at home.
With gasoline prices elevated and the midterm elections approaching, the president faces the challenge of convincing Americans that the military campaign is achieving its intended objectives without creating a larger economic or political burden.
For now, the latest polling shows that Trump’s approval rating remains stuck at its record low, while public confidence in the war itself continues to weaken.