Most Americans Say US Military Action Against Iran Has Gone Too Far

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A new AP-NORC poll finds that most Americans believe recent U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far, and many are worried about affording gasoline. While there is support for preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Americans are just as likely to prioritize keeping oil and gas prices from rising. The poll also shows that about half of U.S. adults have little to no trust in President Trump when it comes to making the right decisions about the use of military force abroad.

Why it matters

The poll results suggest the ongoing conflict with Iran could become a major political liability for the Trump administration, as a majority of Americans view the military action as excessive. The findings also highlight the challenge the White House faces in balancing its foreign policy objectives with the economic concerns of voters, particularly around rising gas prices.

The details

According to the poll, about 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has been excessive, while 45% are 'extremely' or 'very' concerned about being able to afford gas in the next few months, up from 30% in a previous poll. While two-thirds of Americans say preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon should be a priority, they are just as likely to say it's important to keep U.S. oil and gas prices from rising. The poll also found that about half of U.S. adults have 'only a little' trust or 'none at all' in Trump when it comes to making the right decisions about the use of military force outside the U.S.

• The poll was conducted in March 2026.