More Americans oppose than support U.S. military intervention in Iran, including using force to overthrow Iran's leader and bombing Iran in response to its treatment of protesters. However, many think the U.S. military is likely to take action in Iran in the next month. A larger share of Americans disapprove than approve of Trump's handling of Iran.
What you need to know about Americans' views on Iran, as of the January 16 - 19, 2026 Economist / YouGov Poll:
- Most Americans (76%) believe Iran poses at least some level of threat to the U.S., though few (15%) classify the threat as immediate and serious
- Americans are generally more likely to oppose than support military intervention in Iran:
- By 49% to 33%, Americans are more likely to oppose than support the U.S. taking military action in Iran
- By 42% to 32%, Americans are more likely to oppose than support the U.S. using military force to overthrow Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- By 53% to 23%, Americans are more likely to oppose than support the U.S. bombing Iran in response to its treatment of protesters
- Less than 20% of Democrats and a majority of Republicans support each of the three descriptions of possible intervention
- Many Americans won't be surprised if the U.S. intervenes in Iran: 53% believe U.S. military action in Iran is somewhat or very likely in the next month
- About half (49%) of Americans are unsure whether the protests in Iran will succeed in overthrowing the Iranian government. Twice as many think they will be unsuccessful as think they will succeed (34% vs. 16%)
- Net approval — meaning the share who strongly or somewhat approve minus the share who disapprove — of Trump's handling of Iran is -14, which is slightly lower than net approval of his handling of crime (-7) and immigration (-10) but significantly higher than net approval of his handling of race relations (-20) and inflation/prices (-27)
Image: Getty (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
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