WASHINGTON – Two months after the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran – an action critics say violated the UN Charter, as it was not authorized by the Security Council nor justified as self-defense – American disapproval of the war has reached levels not seen since Vietnam, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
61 percent now say the war was a mistake
The poll found that 61 percent of Americans believe the US mission in Iran was a mistake. Historical context makes this number striking:
| Conflict | Time to reach 61% disapproval |
|---|---|
| Iran War | 2 months |
| Iraq War | 3 years |
| Vietnam War | 6 years |
The wars in Iraq and Vietnam became as unpopular as the Iran War is now – but it took years, not months.
What Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed
During his recent contentious appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers: “I believe we do have the support of the American people. The American people are quite smart. They understand and see through spin.”
The polling data suggests the opposite is true.
The economic factor
The Post-ABC-Ipsos survey found that opposition to the war is driven in part by growing economic pain:
- Fuel prices remain well above pre-war levels
- Fertilizer shortages threaten global food supplies
- The UN has warned that 30 million people could be pushed back into poverty
A predictable partisan gap
The polling shows a familiar political divide:
- 4 in 5 Republican voters (roughly 80 percent) continue to support the war
- Democrats and independents overwhelmingly oppose it
But analysts note that in the 2026 midterm elections, it will not be only Republican voters casting ballots.
The bottom line
Sixty-three days into the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran, the American public has turned against it faster than they turned against Iraq or Vietnam. Defense officials may claim popular support, but the numbers tell a different story – and the political consequences may be coming in November.
