SUMMARY
President Donald Trump's approval rating remains at a record-low 33% as support for U.S. military action against Iran falls to 31%, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The survey also found that 83% of Americans believe the conflict will continue for an extended period, highlighting growing concern over a prolonged war and increasing political pressure on the Trump administration.
U.S. POLITICS — President Donald Trump's approval rating has remained at a record low as American support for the U.S. war with Iran continues to weaken, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found that only 33% of Americans approve of Trump's performance as president, while 64% disapprove. His approval rating is unchanged from the previous Reuters/Ipsos survey and remains at the lowest level recorded for his presidency.
At the same time, support for U.S. military action against Iran has fallen to 31%, down from 37% in March and 34% earlier this month.
The results suggest that the prolonged conflict is becoming an increasingly difficult political issue for the Trump administration as Americans question the costs and duration of the war.
Support for the Iran War Falls
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that fewer than one in three Americans now support U.S. military action against Iran.
That represents a significant decline from earlier in the year, when support was higher.
The latest result also continues a broader pattern in which American public support for the conflict has remained below 40% for months.
The decline is not limited to Democrats.
Support among Republicans has also weakened. According to the latest poll, Republican backing for the war fell to 69%, compared with 77% in March.
That matters politically because Republicans form the core of Trump's political base.
Most Americans Expect the War to Continue
Another striking finding is the number of Americans who believe the conflict will last for a long time.
Some 83% of respondents said they expect U.S. military involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period, up from 80% earlier this month.
Only a small minority expect the conflict to end quickly.
The figures indicate that Americans are increasingly viewing the war as a prolonged military commitment rather than a short operation.
Trump's Approval Remains at 33%
Trump's overall approval rating has now remained at 33% in consecutive Reuters/Ipsos surveys.
The figure represents a serious challenge for the president, particularly as the United States approaches the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump entered his second term with significantly stronger approval. His rating reached 47% shortly after he returned to the White House in January 2025, according to earlier Reuters/Ipsos polling.
The subsequent decline has been driven by concerns over several issues, including the Iran conflict and economic pressures facing American households.
The War Is Becoming a Political Liability
Foreign policy traditionally gives presidents an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, particularly during international crises.
But the latest polling suggests that the Iran war is not producing a clear political benefit for Trump.
Instead, public support is falling as the conflict continues.
This creates a difficult situation for the administration: ending the conflict could allow Trump to claim a diplomatic or military achievement, but continuing the war risks further public frustration.
Republican Support Is Still Stronger
Although Republican support has fallen, Trump's party remains considerably more supportive of the Iran war than Democrats.
That partisan divide is important when interpreting the overall numbers.
Trump continues to receive strong support from his political base, but the decline among Republicans suggests that the conflict is not completely insulated from broader public dissatisfaction.
Americans Are Also Worried About the Economic Impact
The Iran conflict has had consequences beyond the battlefield.
Energy markets have been affected by uncertainty surrounding the Middle East and major oil transportation routes.
Higher energy costs can feed into gasoline prices, transportation costs and household expenses.
Earlier Reuters/Ipsos polling found that 58% of Americans expected gasoline prices to worsen, while only 15% expected them to improve.
That creates another political problem for Trump because economic conditions often have a direct impact on voters' perceptions of presidential performance.
Cost of Living Remains a Major Concern
The political consequences of the war cannot be separated entirely from the domestic economy.
Americans continue to pay close attention to prices, household finances and the cost of everyday goods and services.
If the conflict contributes to higher energy prices for an extended period, the administration could face additional pressure from voters who already view the cost of living as a major concern.
Earlier Polls Already Showed Growing Opposition
The latest findings follow several Reuters/Ipsos surveys showing that public support for the conflict had weakened.
In June, only 23% of Americans said the war had been worth its costs, while Trump's approval rating fell to 34%.
By July, only about one in three Americans supported the war, while most respondents said Trump had not clearly explained the U.S. objectives in Iran.
The latest poll therefore appears to reinforce an established trend rather than represent a sudden change in public opinion.
The Midterm Election Problem
The timing is particularly important.
The United States is heading toward the 2026 midterm elections, when voters will decide control of Congress.
A president with low approval ratings can make it more difficult for members of his party to defend vulnerable seats.
If voters increasingly associate the administration with a prolonged war and rising costs, Republicans could face additional challenges in competitive districts and states.
Trump Still Has Political Strength
The poll does not mean Trump has lost his political base.
A significant majority of Republicans continue to support his presidency and his approach to Iran compared with Democrats and independents.
Trump also retains considerable influence over the Republican Party.
However, the numbers show that maintaining support over the long term could become more difficult if the conflict continues without a clear resolution.
A Prolonged War Creates Uncertainty
The 83% figure regarding the expected duration of the conflict is particularly significant.
Americans are not simply disagreeing about whether the war is justified. Many appear to believe that it could continue for a considerable period.
That expectation can influence attitudes toward military spending, energy prices, foreign policy and the president's overall performance.
The Question of Trump's War Strategy
The administration now faces a difficult strategic question: how to demonstrate progress while dealing with declining public support.
A prolonged conflict can require increasing financial and military resources.
At the same time, attempts to negotiate an end to the conflict can create political risks if Trump's supporters believe the United States should pursue a more aggressive strategy.
The president therefore faces pressure from both sides of the debate.
Public Opinion Could Change Again
Polling numbers are not permanent.
Public opinion can shift quickly if conditions on the ground change.
A ceasefire, diplomatic agreement, major military development or significant change in energy prices could alter how Americans view the conflict.
Likewise, a further escalation could push support even lower.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll therefore provides a snapshot of public opinion rather than a prediction of the final political outcome.
Why the Poll Matters
The most important feature of the survey is the combination of two trends.
Trump's approval rating remains at 33%, while support for the Iran war has fallen to 31%.
That means the president is dealing with historically weak overall approval at the same time that the central foreign-policy conflict is losing public support.
The situation becomes more consequential because most Americans also expect the conflict to continue for an extended period.
What Comes Next
The Trump administration will likely face continued pressure to demonstrate that the war is achieving its objectives and that its costs can be contained.
For voters, the key questions will include how long the conflict lasts, whether U.S. objectives are achieved and what happens to energy prices and the wider economy.
For Republicans, the challenge will be determining whether Trump's foreign-policy strategy strengthens the party heading into the midterms or becomes a source of voter dissatisfaction.
Conclusion
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll presents a difficult political picture for Donald Trump.
His approval rating remains at 33%, while only 31% of Americans support U.S. military action against Iran. Republican support for the war has also declined, and 83% of Americans expect the conflict to continue for an extended period.
The numbers do not determine what will happen next, but they show that the Iran war is becoming an increasingly challenging issue for the administration.
For Trump, the political stakes may rise further if the conflict continues without a clear resolution while Americans remain concerned about its duration and economic consequences.
