Recent SSRS polling indicates growing American opposition to the war with Iran. Nearly two-thirds of respondents believe the United States has not won this conflict, and an increasing number feel President Trump has done insufficiently to end it.

Americans have never held a favorable view of this war. After nearly seven months of hostilities, the majority say the conflict has harmed U.S. interests, is not worth the cost, and that the president lacks a clear strategy to address it.

These findings come ahead of Trump’s address to the United Nations and meetings with leaders of Gulf states on the future of the Iran conflict, as crises fueled by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen continue to deteriorate.

Overall, only 29% of American adults approve of Trump’s foreign policy—a new low for CNN polls conducted during both presidential terms—while 71% disapprove. A larger share believe his foreign policy decisions during this term have damaged America’s global standing rather than strengthened it. Approval of the president’s handling of the Iran situation stands at just 26%, down from 33% within the first month of the conflict.

The decline in approval for Trump’s approach to Iran is most pronounced among Republicans. Democrats and independent voters have maintained consistently negative views throughout the conflict.

In March, 73% of Republicans approved of Trump’s handling of Iran; that figure has now fallen to 60%. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning adults under 45, views have turned negative: 53% now disapprove. Among those who do not identify with the “Make America Great Again” movement, 54% disapprove.

Now, three-quarters of adults say Trump lacks a clear plan for managing the Iran situation; 78% believe he has not taken sufficient steps to end the war. About seven in ten believe the conflict could become prolonged, a view shared across party lines. Some 32% consider a long-term conflict highly likely—an all-time high since the war began.

More Americans believe the war has harmed rather than helped U.S. interests—70% versus 18%. Seventy-six percent say the war is not justified, whether measured by human lives lost or economic burden placed on the U.S. government.

Democrats and independents broadly hold negative views: 97% of Democrats and 82% of independents believe the war is not worth the cost. In both groups, few believe Trump is taking adequate measures to bring the fighting to an end.

Republicans are more divided on these issues: 55% believe the war is worth its costs, and 53% think Trump is doing enough to end it. Yet compared to others, Republicans are more likely to believe the U.S. is winning: 70% of Republicans say so, versus 31% of independents and 13% of Democrats.

Support for members of the president’s war cabinet remains largely negative: Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 40%, Vice President JD Vance at 36%, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at 34%. Among Republicans, support for Rubio (81%) and Vance (79%) is strong, while Hegseth garners 72% approval.

This gap reflects some level of dissatisfaction among non-MAGA Republicans toward Hegseth. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who do not support MAGA, 70% back Rubio, 68% back Vance, but only 58% support Hegseth.

Public perceptions of Russia and China remain largely unchanged from earlier this year: the vast majority still view both as adversaries or enemies. However, attitudes toward several countries central to Trump’s foreign policy are shifting. The proportion viewing Ukraine as an ally or friendly nation declined from 76% in January to 70% today. Conversely, support for viewing Cuba as a friendly nation rose—from 21% to 26%.

On Canada, most still see the country as an ally or friendly state, but the share identifying it as an ally has dropped from 51% in March 2025 to 38% today, reflecting fallout from the ongoing tariff disputes between Trump and the northern neighbor. This decline spans party lines but is most pronounced among Republicans: down 9 points among Democrats, 10 points among independents, and 23 points among Republicans.

Approval of Israel as an ally or friendly nation fell to 61%, with 15% now viewing it as an enemy—the highest percentage recorded in a CNN poll since 2000 and nearly double the share from March 2025.

This shift is especially evident among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents: 17% now see Israel as an enemy, up from 8% in March 2025.

The trend is particularly concentrated among younger Americans: 23% of those under 45 now view Israel as an enemy, compared to 9% a year and a half ago.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877084078135306/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.