A fresh Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll reveals that a clear majority of Americans—61 percent—consider the Trump administration's military strikes on Iran a mistake. Only 36 percent of respondents backed the late February operation as the right call, according to the survey conducted April 24-28 among 2,560 U.S. adults.
The numbers, pollsters noted, mirror public opinion during the early stages of the Iraq and Vietnam wars, signaling deep unease with the conflict. The U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on February 28 after the administration accused Tehran of stonewalling nuclear negotiations.
A striking 52 percent of those surveyed said Israel exerted too much influence on the Pentagon's decision to enter the conflict, while 37 percent deemed its role appropriate. This finding comes amid ongoing scrutiny of foreign policy ties, as House Democrats press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on war costs and military personnel changes.
Skepticism extends to the diplomatic endgame: 65 percent of respondents expressed little confidence that any agreement would prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, with only 8 percent very confident and 24 percent somewhat confident in a deal's effectiveness. The U.S. and Iran are currently observing a temporary ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, though talks appear stalled.
The public is nearly evenly split on how to proceed. Just under half—48 percent—favor accepting a peace deal even if it means a less favorable outcome for the U.S., while 46 percent prefer pressing for better terms, even at the risk of renewed military action. This division reflects broader political tensions, as nearly 6 in 10 Americans actively avoid Trump-related news, a separate poll found.
The survey's margin of error is approximately 2 percentage points, underscoring the reliability of these findings. As the administration weighs next steps, the poll suggests a war-weary public remains deeply divided on both the conflict's origins and its resolution.
