Most Americans rejected bombing in Iran before a US and Israel -led offensive, research points out

Three days before the US military offensive and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities, a public opinion poll indicated that most of the US population was contrary to the use of the Air Force in this context.

The survey, conducted by the newspaper The Washington Post and published on June 18, pointed out that 45% of respondents opposed military action.

The operation was executed on Saturday, 21, when the United States, with the support of Israel, launched bombing against three nuclear facilities in Iran, raising the level of regional tensions. The offensive occurred amid growing international attention on the Iranian nuclear program and the aggravation of the conflict involving Tehran and Tel Aviv.

According to data released by Washington PostOnly 25% of Americans were favorable to attack, while 30% said they were undecided at the time of the survey.

The figures reveal a scenario of division between the public, reflecting a largely cautious public opinion regarding the possibility of a new military involvement of the United States in the Middle East.

The research also demonstrated a significant variation in opinions according to party affiliation. Among the Republican voters, the group more aligned with President Donald Trump’s government, the results showed a balanced division: 47% were favorable to the offensive against Iran, while 24% spoke against. Another 29% said they were undecided or preferred not to give their opinion.

Already among the Democrats, the rejection of military intervention was significantly higher. According to the survey, 67% of party voters were opposed to military action, while only 9% supported the measure. The remaining 24% did not express a clear position on the subject.

The independent public, made up of citizens who do not identify with any of the two main political parties in the United States, also presented a picture of hesitation and majority opposition. Among this group, 44% rejected the idea of ​​bombing against Iran, 20% were favorable and 36% were undecided or did not want to answer.

The perception of the risk represented by the Iranian nuclear program was also addressed in the research. For 22% of respondents, the program’s development was considered an “immediate and serious threat” to the security of the United States.

Another 48% classified the issue as a relatively serious threat, while 23% pointed out the project as a lesser threat. Only 7% of survey participants said Iran’s nuclear program represents no threat.

In households with members of the Armed Forces, the results presented another important cut. In these homes, 39% of respondents said they were opposed to the attacks on Iran, while 37% declared support to military actions. The remainder, corresponding to 24%, did not have a formed opinion.

The survey was conducted with a sample of 1,008 US citizens, and the margin of error is 3.6 percentage points, more or less. The survey was completed on June 18, before the outbreak of the military offensive. The results were publicly released a few hours before confirming the attacks on the 21st.

The lag between the public opinion data and the execution of the military operation shows a mismatch between government decisions and the perception of the population. The joint action between the United States and Israel involved bombings to three strategic centers in the Iranian territory – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – considered a central part of the country’s uranium enrichment program.

The offensive raised the level of conflict to a new level, especially after Iranian retaliation through missiles and drones directed to Israeli targets. The episode occurred amid the extension of regional tensions and uncertainties about the next steps of the powers involved in the conflict.

To date, there is no confirmation about a new round of opinion polls after the start of the operation. Nor were official reactions of the White House on the survey data prior to the offensive.

The research brings elements that can influence the internal political debate in the United States, especially in a year marked by electoral disputes. The issue of military involvement in international conflicts again takes up space in discussions about the country’s foreign policy and can directly affect the public perception of the directions adopted by the current administration.