Americans’ Views on Iran Detailed in CBS News Poll

Recent polling indicates a divided American public regarding potential conflict with Iran, conducted just prior to U.S. airstrikes. The data reveals uncertainty about the duration of such a conflict and varying perspectives on how the U.S. should engage with Iran’s leadership.

Public Opinion on Conflict Duration

Most Americans anticipated a lengthy conflict with Iran, lasting months or even years, rather than just days or weeks. This expectation was closely linked to their support for military action; those who believed the conflict would be brief were more likely to favor military intervention, while those anticipating a prolonged engagement expressed opposition.

Engagement with Iranian Leadership

A majority of Americans favored U.S. economic or diplomatic pressure over military force to remove the Iranian ruling regime. However, a substantial majority believed the U.S. should engage with Iranian leadership in some form.

Congressional Approval and Presidential Explanation

The polling showed overwhelming agreement that Congress should approve any military action. While the president’s explanation of the U.S. position saw a slight increase in approval following his State of the Union address, a significant portion of Americans still felt he had not adequately clarified the situation.

Presidential Approval Ratings

Prior to the strikes, the president’s approval ratings regarding his handling of Iran were marginally higher than his overall approval, though still net negative. Historically, Iran and its potential nuclear capabilities have been viewed as a threat by the American public, although often considered manageable through diplomatic means. Previous U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last summer revealed partisan divisions in public opinion.

The U.S. Economy

Optimism about the economy, as expressed by the president in the State of the Union, was not widely shared by Americans. Expectations for the next year point to a slowing economy or even a recession, a sentiment that has persisted for some time. Overall ratings of the U.S. economy remain net negative, and a majority of Americans believe the president presents a more positive picture of inflation than reality warrants.

Issue and Job Approval

The president’s issue approval ratings were consistent with those observed before his State of the Union address. His overall approval remained relatively stable in recent weeks, showing a slight increase from the period immediately preceding the address.

This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,264 U.S. adults interviewed between February 25-27, 2026. The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide according to gender, age, race, and education, based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is ±2.5 points.