More Americans oppose than support U.S. military intervention in Iran for each of three ways of describing it, including using force to overthrow Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and bombing Iran in response to its treatment of protesters. Few are confident that protests will succeed in overthrowing the Iranian government and many believe the U.S. military is likely to take action in Iran in the next month.
What you need to know about Americans' views on Iran, as of the January 30 - February 2, 2026 Economist / YouGov Poll:
- Americans are generally more likely to oppose than support military intervention in Iran:
- By 48% to 28%, Americans are more likely to oppose than support the U.S. taking military action in Iran
- By 42% to 33%, Americans are more likely to oppose than support the U.S. using military force to overthrow Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- By 52% to 25%, 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: 52% believe U.S. military action in Iran is somewhat or very likely in the next month
- About half (51%) of Americans are unsure whether the protests in Iran will succeed in overthrowing the Iranian government. More think the protests will be unsuccessful than think they will succeed (31% vs. 18%)
Image: Getty (Getty Images / Stringer)
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