Only one in four Americans approve of the US strikes that killed Iran’s leader, while about half, including one in four Republicans, believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded on Sunday.
About 27% of respondents said they approved of the strikes, while 43% disapproved and 29% were not sure. About nine in 10 respondents said they had heard at least a little about the strikes, which began early on Saturday.
About 45% of poll respondents, including 34% of Republicans and 44% of independents, said they would be less likely to support the campaign against Iran if fuel or oil prices increased in the US.
The poll showed 56% of Americans think Trump, who also ordered strikes in Venezuela, Syria, and Nigeria in recent months, is too willing to use military force to advance US interests. Most Democrats (87%) held this view, as did 23% of Republicans and 60% of people who don’t identify with either political party.
The poll was conducted during the strikes on Iran by the US and Israel and closed before the US military announced the first American casualties in the operation. Three US service members have been killed and five seriously wounded since the strikes, which plunged the Middle East into a new unpredictable conflict.
While 55% of Republicans said they approved of the strikes and 13% disapproved, the Reuters/Ipsos poll found 42% in Trump’s party said they would be less likely to support the Iran campaign if it leads to “US troops in the Middle East being killed or injured”.
Trump’s presidential approval rating ticked slightly lower to 39%, one percentage point below a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from February 18 to 23.
The strikes on Iran began three days before the first primaries of the US midterm elections, which will determine whether Trump’s Republicans maintain their majorities in Congress for the next two years. Reuters/Ipsos polls have consistently shown voters’ top concern heading into the elections is the economy, far more than foreign affairs
About 45% of poll respondents, including 34% of Republicans and 44% of independents, said they would be less likely to support the campaign against Iran if fuel or oil prices increased in the US.
Prices for Brent crude surged 10% to about $80 (R1,291) a barrel in over-the-counter trade on Sunday, oil traders said. Analysts predicted prices could climb to $100 (R1,614) due to the latest conflict.
The most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses online from 1,282 US adults nationwide. It had a margin of error of three percentage points.
Reuters
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