Recent polls indicate many Americans believe the campaign in Iran makes the nation "less safe," even as they view Tehran as a security threat to Washington. While most Republican voters support President Trump, they also express concern about the potential deployment of US ground troops to Iran.

A survey conducted last weekend by Quinnipiac university, renowned in public opinion polling, revealed that 53% of respondents oppose military action in Iran. 40% support it, and about 10% are unsure. Reuters/Ipsos, a leading global survey source, also published a poll indicating that a majority of people oppose airstrikes against Iran. These findings are similar to flash polls by the Washington Post and CNN, conducted immediately after the US and Israel began coordinated attacks on Iran. A recent Fox News poll found that respondents' opinions were nearly evenly divided, with one-half supporting and one-half opposing.

Protest against the US and Israeli attack on Iran near the White House, Washington D.C., on 28/2. Photo: AFP

Several polls indicate that a majority of Americans believe the Trump administration "has not clearly explained the reasons for conducting airstrikes." American public opinion is also divided on whether Iran truly poses a "direct and imminent threat" to the US, as claimed by the White House. In the Quinnipiac survey, 55% do not believe this. Meanwhile, 60% of respondents in the Fox News survey consider Iran a real threat. An AP NORC poll shows that about one-half of American adults are very concerned about Iran's nuclear program.

Amid volatile oil prices influenced by the Middle East conflict, the vast majority of voters surveyed expressed being "somewhat concerned" or "very concerned" about rising gas prices in the US. According to the Quinnipiac poll, 25% of voters are "not too concerned" or "not concerned at all." The highest level of concern comes from Democrats and independent voters, but about one-half of Republican voters are also "somewhat concerned that the conflict will cause gas prices to rise."

According to the Reuters/Ipsos survey, about two-thirds of respondents believe US gas prices will worsen in the next year due to the conflict. More Republican voters expect gas prices to increase than those who believe prices will fall. 20% say prices will remain unchanged. About one-half of voters, in both Quinnipiac and Fox News surveys, are concerned that the conflict makes the US "less safe," compared to 30% who believe the conflict makes the country safer. A CNN survey recorded 50% of respondents saying the conflict will make Iran "a greater threat." Only 30% believe the level of danger will decrease.

Supporters of the US-Israel campaign marched in New York on 1/3. They held photos of Reza Pahlavi, an opposition activist and eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.

A majority of voters are concerned that the conflict will continue to escalate. About three-quarters of voters oppose the scenario of sending ground troops to Iran, with only 20% supporting this, according to the Quinnipiac survey. Even within the Republican voter group, opposition is higher than support, at 52% compared to 37%. The Reuters/Ipsos survey shows that voters from both parties are concerned the campaign will put the lives of US soldiers at risk. 90% of American adults are "somewhat concerned" or "very concerned" about this. This rate is 86% among Republican voters and 93% among Democratic voters.

Duc Trung (According to AP, Reuters, Washington Post)