Poll Finds 71% Of Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran
At a Glance
- 71% of U.S. adults disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of Iran, according to a new AP-NORC poll.
- 69% say the war with Iran has not been worth fighting, while 28% say it has been worth fighting.
- 65% say higher-than-usual prices are more the result of Trump’s policies than factors outside his control.
- The findings come ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, as the war continues to affect U.S. energy prices, foreign policy and the domestic political debate.
A new AP-NORC poll shows broad public dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, with 71 percent of Americans saying they disapprove of his approach and 69 percent saying the conflict has not been worth fighting.
The findings come just weeks before the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, as the conflict continues to affect fuel markets and household costs while remaining a major foreign-policy issue for the Trump administration.
Poll Findings
The survey, conducted September 24–28 among 2,140 U.S. adults, found that only 28 percent approve of Trump's handling of Iran, compared with 71 percent who disapprove. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
On the broader question of the war, 69 percent said it has not been worth fighting, while 28 percent said it has been worth fighting. The share saying the war was not worth fighting has increased from 64 percent in July.
The figures indicate that opposition to the conflict extends beyond Trump's approval rating specifically, with a majority of Americans questioning the value of the war itself.
Economic Impact
The poll also highlights the domestic economic consequences of the conflict.
Sixty-five percent of Americans said higher-than-usual prices are more attributable to Trump's policies, while 33 percent said they are more attributable to factors outside his control. AP-NORC said the result reflects concerns over tariffs as well as the continuing war with Iran.
The cost-of-living issue is particularly significant ahead of the midterms. Only 17 percent of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living, while 26 percent approve of his handling of the economy overall, according to the same survey.
The conflict has contributed to disruptions in global energy markets. Washington has recently pressed European allies to release emergency diesel reserves as fuel prices rise, while Trump has said the United States could ask European countries to draw down their stockpiles.
Iran War And The Midterms
The poll arrives as the November 3 congressional elections approach.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are scheduled to be contested. The results will determine the balance of power in Congress and could affect the administration's ability to secure legislative support for its policies.
The Iran conflict is already part of that political discussion. Analysts have identified the war, rising energy costs and public attitudes toward the conflict as issues that could influence the political environment ahead of the vote.
The extent to which the war affects individual congressional races, however, cannot be determined from a national opinion poll alone.
Congressional War Powers
The conflict has also raised questions over the role of Congress in authorizing and overseeing military action.
Under the War Powers Resolution, presidents must notify Congress when U.S. forces are introduced into hostilities and face statutory limits on continued military action without congressional authorization.
Lawmakers have previously sought to challenge or restrict presidential war powers over Iran, making congressional control of either chamber potentially relevant to future debates over military operations, funding and authorization.
A change in the congressional balance could therefore alter the level of scrutiny applied to the administration's Iran policy, although the specific legislative outcome would depend on the composition of Congress and subsequent votes.
Trump Defends Iran Policy
Despite the unfavorable polling, Trump has continued to defend his approach to the conflict.
On Thursday, he warned Iran that it needed to act “proper and smart” or face severe consequences, while questioning whether Tehran could be trusted to honor a future agreement.
His comments came as diplomatic efforts continued alongside military and economic pressure.
The Trump administration has also continued expanding sanctions on Iran. On Thursday, Washington announced new sanctions targeting major Iranian automakers, rail companies, steel producers and other manufacturers, describing the measures as part of its effort to restrict Iranian revenue and logistical capacity.
A Wider Economic And Strategic Debate
The AP-NORC findings come as the Iran conflict increasingly intersects with domestic economic concerns.
Fuel prices, supply disruptions and the broader impact of the war have become part of the political debate, while the administration has sought additional measures to stabilize energy markets.
The United States has also maintained substantial military forces in the Middle East. Three U.S. aircraft carriers are expected to overlap in the region in the coming weeks as scheduled rotations coincide, alongside two Amphibious Ready Groups carrying Marine Expeditionary Units.
That military buildup comes as Washington continues both military operations and diplomatic efforts involving Iran.
Poll Limitations
The AP-NORC survey measures national public opinion at a specific point in time. It does not determine how voters will behave in individual congressional races or establish whether the Iran war will be the decisive issue for voters.
The poll was conducted from September 24 through September 28, before some of the latest developments in the conflict and energy markets. Its results therefore provide a snapshot of public attitudes during that period rather than a forecast of November's election results.
FYI
The AP-NORC findings show three interconnected areas of public concern: dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of Iran, doubts about the value of the war and concern over higher prices. The 71 percent disapproval figure is accompanied by 69 percent saying the war has not been worth fighting, while 65 percent attribute higher-than-usual prices primarily to Trump's policies.
The political significance comes from the timing. With the November 3 midterms approaching, the conflict is occurring alongside rising fuel costs and broader dissatisfaction with the economy. At the same time, the administration continues to pursue military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran.
The poll does not establish how these views will translate into votes or congressional outcomes. It does, however, document a broad national skepticism toward the war and Trump's handling of Iran at a consequential point in the U.S. political calendar.
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