A large majority of Americans want the conflict with Iran brought to a close and remain unconvinced that U.S. military action has achieved its central objectives, according to a new CBS News poll, highlighting the political challenges facing President Donald Trump even as his administration pursues a fragile diplomatic framework with Tehran.
The survey, conducted between June 17 and June 19, found widespread public skepticism about the results of the campaign. While the White House has promoted recent negotiations and a ceasefire agreement as evidence of progress, voters appear far less certain that the costs of the conflict have produced meaningful strategic gains.
Among the most notable findings:
- 78% of respondents said they want the conflict with Iran to end immediately.
- 69% said U.S. military action had not sufficiently stopped Iran's nuclear program.
- 64% disapproved of Trump's handling of the conflict.
- 64% also said the administration underestimated the war's economic consequences.
The results suggest that public concern extends beyond military outcomes. Americans surveyed expressed doubts that the conflict has made the Middle East safer, reduced regional threats, or improved conditions for ordinary Iranians. For many respondents, the central question appears to be whether the sacrifices associated with the campaign have produced measurable benefits.
The poll arrives as the Trump administration attempts to transform a military confrontation into a diplomatic settlement. U.S. and Iranian negotiators, along with international mediators, have been engaged in discussions following a ceasefire agreement that reopened the Strait of Hormuz and established a framework for broader negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz became one of the conflict's most economically significant flashpoints. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies move through the waterway, and disruptions during the conflict triggered sharp increases in energy prices worldwide. Iranian actions targeting shipping lanes and energy infrastructure amplified concerns about global supply disruptions, sending crude prices higher and pushing gasoline costs upward across the United States.
Markets responded positively when Trump announced a tentative agreement with Iran. According to reports cited by ABC News, the arrangement included sanctions relief measures and a proposed reconstruction package valued at approximately $300 billion. The deal also resulted in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of prolonged supply shortages.
Energy prices have since retreated from their wartime highs.
According to AAA data:
- The national average gasoline price currently stands at $3.92 per gallon.
- Last month, during heightened conflict, prices averaged $4.55 per gallon.
- One year ago, the national average was $3.21 per gallon.
While consumers have benefited from the recent decline, fuel costs remain substantially higher than they were before tensions escalated. Economists note that energy prices have contributed to broader inflationary pressures that have become an increasingly important political issue.
Data from Trading Economics indicate inflation has accelerated throughout the conflict period. Before the war began in February, the inflation rate stood at 2.4%. It subsequently climbed to 3.3% in March, 3.8% in April, and reached 4.2% in May, marking its highest level since April 2023.
