Poll: Most Americans oppose war in Iran, but most Republicans support it

March 9, 2026·24 min·2 clips

80% of Republicans approve of military action in Iran, defying Trump's anti-war campaign promises.

The poll starts the conversation. Parks goes first to Domenico Montanaro, who says 56% oppose the military action in Iran while only 36% approve of Trump's handling. The public does not seem especially convinced Iran is an urgent threat. Domenico adds that 55% see Iran as only a minor threat or no threat, and the survey came during the first week of bombing. That timing matters. The panel treats the numbers as an early read, not the final word on where opinion will land. Tamara Keith turns to persuasion. If Trump cared about building approval, she says, he would have made the case before launching the war. He did not. The panel contrasts that with the usual presidential move of explaining military action to Americans, allies, and the broader world. Trump's bet is smaller. Tamara says the second Trump term often runs on little explanation and assumes the base will stay with him. So far, the numbers back that up. The group then asks what could crack that support among voters who backed Trump in 2024. American deaths could do it, especially if ground troops enter the picture. Economic pain may hit faster, with stock market weakness and gas prices as obvious pressure points. Domenico points to the Dow's drop, from almost 49,500 before the bombing to 47,000, and calls it a big fall in a short time. If the pressure keeps rising, Trump may hunt for an off ramp and a win he can sell. The episode closes by tying Trump's claims about Democratic cheating to midterm politics and the familiar trouble facing unpopular presidents.

As heard by us

A steady poll-driven look at how Iran is testing Trump-era politics.

The NPR Politics Podcast takes a measured look at the new NPR PBS News Marist poll on political pressure around the war in Iran. Domenico Montanaro keeps the numbers grounded: 56% oppose the military action, 36% approve of Donald Trump's handling of it, and most respondents see…

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