New polling shows the American public has turned against the conflict – even as Washington walks away from peace talks.
By That’s Enough Opinion Desk
NEW YORK – More than two months after the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran – an action critics say violated the UN Charter, as it was not taken in self-defense nor authorized by the Security Council – the American public has made its position clear: the war is unpopular, and becoming more so by the week.
According to polling data tracked by Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, net support for the Iran War now stands at -15.2 in the latest average. Some recent polls show even deeper opposition.
| Pollster | Net Support | Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Economist / YouGov | -27 | April 2026 |
| Reuters / Ipsos | -24 | April 2026 |
What the numbers mean
A negative net support figure means more Americans oppose the war than support it. At -15.2, opposition significantly outweighs approval.
The Silver Bulletin average, which weights more reliable polls more heavily, has tracked public opinion since the war began on February 28. The trend line is clear: what started as a divisive conflict has become an increasingly unpopular one.
Why this matters for the war’s future
The polling comes at a critical moment:
- US officials have cancelled peace talks in Islamabad that had raised hopes of a diplomatic resolution
- President Trump has ordered the military to “shoot and kill” Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz
- The fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8 remains under strain
Despite the unpopularity of the war, the administration appears to be moving toward escalation rather than negotiation.
How polling on the war works
Silver Bulletin includes only polls that ask neutral questions about support for military action in Iran – avoiding questions that make presumptions about the war’s objectives or ask about Trump’s approval rating on Iran rather than the conflict itself.
The average began on March 1, 2026, the day after the war started, and includes only polls conducted since active hostilities began – not hypothetical questions from before the strikes.
The disconnect between public opinion and policy
The polling reveals a striking gap: the American public does not want this war. Yet the administration continues to:
- Maintain an illegal maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
- Cancel diplomatic engagements
- Issue shoot-to-kill orders against Iranian vessels
The bottom line
The US and Israel launched an unlawful military campaign against Iran on February 28. Two months later, the American people have voted with their opinions – and they say no. The question is whether Washington will listen before the war resumes, or after.
