Poll Finds Nearly 70 Percent of Americans Say US-Israel War on Iran Not Worth Fighting as Trump's Approval Hits New Lows

A newly released nationwide survey has found that a substantial majority of American adults believe the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran has not been worth the cost, with disapproval of President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict reaching striking levels. The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, was published on Thursday and surveyed more than 2,000 adults across the United States, offering one of the most detailed snapshots yet of public sentiment toward the administration's foreign policy and economic stewardship.

According to the survey's findings, 69 percent of respondents said the war in Iran has not been worth fighting — a five-point increase since the same question was asked in July. In addition, 71 percent of adults indicated they disapprove of how Trump is managing the situation with Iran. These figures suggest that public patience with the conflict, which has already generated significant economic ripple effects, is eroding rather than stabilizing as the war continues.

The erosion of support extends well beyond foreign policy. The poll revealed that Americans are deeply dissatisfied with the president's economic performance, with only 17 percent of those surveyed approving of his handling of the cost of living. Just 26 percent expressed approval of his overall management of the economy, a figure that marks a new low for the administration. These numbers paint a picture of widespread concern about pocketbook issues at a time when the White House is attempting to shift its focus toward the upcoming midterm elections.

Fuel costs have emerged as a particularly acute source of anxiety. Approximately half of all respondents said they are deeply concerned about being able to afford gasoline, up sharply from 39 percent in July. A similar proportion reported high levels of worry about their ability to put food on the table. The rising costs of basic necessities have clearly resonated with voters, many of whom appear to be linking their financial strain directly to the broader consequences of the war.

The survey also explored how Americans assign blame for rising prices. Among Republicans surveyed, two-thirds said they believe higher-than-usual costs stem from factors beyond Trump's control, while roughly one-third attributed the increases directly to the president's policies. The fact that a meaningful share of his own party's supporters fault his administration suggests that the economic fallout from the war could complicate Republican messaging ahead of the November elections.

Overall, more than half of adult respondents said both the national economy and the country as a whole have worsened since Trump returned to office in 2025. This broad sense of decline underscores the challenge facing the president as he seeks to rally support before voters head to the polls. The data arrives as Trump kicked off his midterm campaign efforts, beginning with stops in Texas and Oklahoma as part of an all-in push to energize the Republican base amid mounting voter unease.

In an interview with TIME magazine published on Thursday, Trump was asked whether the deeply unpopular war could threaten his party's prospects in November. He initially conceded, "It's possible," before quickly pivoting to argue that the conflict "should help, because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon." It was a response that appeared to acknowledge the political risk while simultaneously framing the war as a necessary measure for national security.

When confronted directly with the declining poll numbers, Trump dismissed them outright. He told TIME that "pollsters are corrupt" and described unfavorable surveys as "fake," insisting that he would defeat any potential challenger by a margin of 20 points. This rejection of polling data echoes a pattern the president has maintained throughout his political career, particularly when surveys show him trailing or losing public confidence.

The latest findings suggest that the war with Iran, far from being a unifying rallying point, has instead compounded public frustration with the administration's performance on multiple fronts. The intersection of foreign conflict and domestic economic pain appears to be a potent combination that is weighing heavily on the president's standing. While Republican voters remain somewhat more forgiving — attributing higher prices to external forces — the overall national mood leans decisively negative.

For the White House, the timing of the poll is far from ideal. The midterm campaign season is now underway, and the president is attempting to galvanize his base even as a majority of Americans express dissatisfaction with his leadership. The numbers on fuel and food insecurity carry particular weight, as these are tangible, everyday concerns that voters feel directly. Unlike abstract foreign policy debates, the price of gasoline and groceries registers immediately at the kitchen table, and candidates in competitive districts may find themselves answering for those costs on the campaign trail.

The survey's release also coincides with ongoing international developments, including US sanctions on entities accused of supporting Iran's military and debates over Tehran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. These factors suggest the administration's Iran policy will remain a live issue throughout the election season, giving opponents ample material to question the strategic wisdom and economic consequences of the war.

Ultimately, the poll delivers a clear message: a majority of Americans have concluded that the conflict with Iran has not been worth the sacrifices it has demanded, and they hold the president responsible for the economic hardships that have followed. Whether those sentiments translate into electoral losses in November remains to be seen, but the warning signs for the White House are difficult to ignore. As Trump continues to dispute the validity of polling, the data itself points to a public that is increasingly skeptical of both the war and the administration's ability to manage its domestic fallout.