It's not just Democrats who are fed up with the war in Iran. A new AP-NORC poll finds that two-thirds of Americans say President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict hasn't been worth it, and his approval rating on the issue has sunk to 28%.
The survey, conducted July 23-27, shows broad opposition among Democrats and independents, but the real story is the GOP shift. About 37% of Republicans now disapprove, and Trump's approval among his own party dropped from 71% in June to 61% now. Overall, his Iran approval fell from 34% to 28% in just a month.
This is a political headache that's been building since the war started on Feb. 28. It's dragged on far longer than Trump predicted, with 18 U.S. service members killed and costs rising as strikes and shipping disruptions take their toll. By mid-July, voters were already turning against the president's stance as fighting ramped up again.
Most Americans Want Out
Only about 2 in 10 adults want military action to continue. Roughly 3 in 10 favor pausing attacks and negotiating another ceasefire, while another 2 in 10 want the U.S. to stop military action entirely.
Ohio Republican Robert McClary told AP, "I don't have any trust in this administration at all and to why they brought us into this war, why they're putting our soldiers at risk again." He added that Washington had "gotten yourself buried into this mess."
The poll also shows that pocketbook concerns are rivaling national security goals. About 72% said preventing higher oil and gasoline prices was extremely or very important, compared with roughly two-thirds who said the same about stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Nearly 7 in 10 prioritized a permanent ceasefire.
Gas Prices Add Pressure
Gasoline crossed $4 a gallon again in July as fighting disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The national average has returned above that threshold. Oil has since eased below $90, though both major benchmarks are still headed for monthly gains of about 20%.
Florida Republican Ryan Sloan said he turned against the war because the administration didn't explain the latest escalation. "I just wish I'd have had more transparency about why things were going on the way they were," he said.
The results could complicate Republican campaigns before November's midterm elections by tying an unpopular war to casualties, higher fuel costs, and demands for a clearer exit strategy.
