Most Americans Say Iran War Was A Mistake As Economic Worries Grow, Poll Finds
Most Americans believe the U.S. made the wrong decision in using military force against Iran, while financial pressures and rising costs continue to shape public anxiety, according to a new poll by ABC News, The Washington Post and Ipsos.
The survey has found that 61% of Americans say the U.S. military action against Iran was a mistake, while 36% say it was the right decision. Respondents were asked whether the U.S. “did the right thing” in using force or whether it was a mistake, with a clear majority expressing opposition.
Public doubt extends to the outcome of the conflict. Only 19% of respondents said U.S. actions in Iran have been successful, while 39% say they have not been successful and 41% say it is too early to tell. Confidence in diplomacy is also limited, with 65% saying they are not confident that any agreement with Iran will prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
The poll also highlights concerns about broader consequences of the conflict. Asked whether U.S. military action has increased or decreased certain risks, 61% said it has increased the risk of terrorism against Americans, 60% said it raises the likelihood of a U.S. recession, and 56% said it could weaken relationships with allies.
These economic concerns come as Americans report growing financial strain. According to the same ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos polling trend, 40% say they are worse off financially than when President Donald Trump took office in 2025, while 42% say they are about the same and just 17% say they are better off. A separate question shows 23% say they are falling behind financially.
The findings align with broader economic signals. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported sharp fluctuations in fuel prices linked to global supply disruptions, while the American Automobile Association recently recorded national average gasoline prices reaching multi-year highs in 2026, reinforcing consumer concerns reflected in the poll.
Half of Americans in the survey say they expect gas prices to rise further over the next year. Many are already adjusting behavior, with 44% reporting they have cut back on driving, 42% saying they have reduced household spending, and 34% saying they have changed travel plans.
On policy direction, Americans are closely split. When asked whether the U.S. should make a peace deal with Iran even if it results in a worse agreement or push for a better deal even if it requires continued military action, 48% favor a peace deal while 46% support continued pressure.
Views on the broader use of military force are also skeptical. A majority, 56%, oppose using the U.S. military to force changes in other countries, compared with 24% who support it. Nearly half, 47%, say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, while 52% say Israel had too much influence on the decision to launch strikes against Iran.
Public reaction to presidential rhetoric was also strongly negative. When asked about Trump’s statement warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran did not reach an agreement, 76% said they had a negative reaction, including a strong negative reaction from a majority of respondents.
Opposition to a military draft remains overwhelming, with 85% saying the U.S. should not return to conscription. On whether women should be included if a draft were reinstated, opinion is more divided, with 43% in favor and 54% opposed.
The poll was conducted April 24–28, 2026, among 2,560 U.S. adults using Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel, a probability-based national sample designed to represent the U.S. population. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.
