Poll: Fog of War

Q1.

What is your view of the US war with Iran? (check all that apply)

(US F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter refueled by KC-135 Stratotanker flying over the Middle East, May 3, 2026. CENTCOM)

overall

custom

male

female

rep

ind

dem

18-29

30-44

45-64

65+

US is winning

36%

48%

30%

86%

26%

4%

8%

39%

42%

32%

36%

US is losing

45%

37%

49%

4%

54%

72%

67%

37%

45%

48%

45%

Iran is winning

27%

23%

29%

0%

27%

46%

24%

27%

28%

27%

Iran is losing

37%

50%

31%

73%

37%

13%

33%

41%

38%

34%

37%

US will be better off after war than it was before

35%

44%

31%

85%

24%

3%

8%

42%

39%

31%

35%

US will be worse off

56%

45%

62%

5%

61%

90%

67%

51%

53%

63%

56%

Iran will be better off after than before

34%

35%

31%

34%

8%

36%

37%

33%

34%

Iran will be worse off

45%

50%

44%

45%

44%

45%

43%

55%

39%

45%

None of these

5%

8%

1%

5%

8%

5%

43%

2%

5%

Not sure

4%

5%

3%

4%

17%

5%

1%

2%

4%

Don't care

0%

1%

0%

1%

0%

Q2.

Some believe the US would have had to deal with Iran militarily sooner or later, given the Islamic Republic's nuclear and regional ambitions, and doing so now was better than waiting.

Others say that while a military approach was warranted, the military approach enacted by the US was poorly conceived.

Still others believe a military approach was not the way to go because it would never lead to the outcomes the US desires — a non nuclear, non-antagonistic Iran.

Which best fits your view regarding US military intervention in Iran?

(Image: Tanker carrying Iraqi oil following unidentified attacks, near Basra, Iraq, March 12. Getty // Mohammed Aty)

overall

custom

male

female

rep

ind

dem

18-29

30-44

45-64

65+

Now was the time, the plan well conceived

30%

38%

26%

77%

18%

0%

26%

39%

30%

Now was the time, plan ill conceived

8%

18%

1%

14%

17%

2%

51%

5%

3%

5%

8%

Now not the time, but later would be

2%

0%

3%

2%

0%

1%

3%

2%

Military operation not the way to go with Iran

54%

39%

63%

0%

58%

91%

49%

56%

51%

61%

54%

Not sure

5%

1%

8%

7%

4%

0%

10%

4%

2%

5%

Don't care

1%

2%

0%

1%

0%

1%

0%

2%

1%

0%

1%

Q3.

On April 7, a two-week cease fire was announced, and extended indefinitely April 21.

By most accounts, there has not been much in the way of peace negotiations between the two countries since then, though reports Wednesday said there could be meetings next week, causing the US stock market to rally 1.5%.

Since March 1, Iran has blocked ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. On April 13 the US reciprocated with a blockade of Iranian ports and coastline in an attempt to get Iran to lift their blockade. Both sides are still blockading.

At this point in time, do you think President Trump is holding out for a deal that achieves US aims, or more interested in a quick face-saving exit?

(Image: German minesweeper "Fulda," May 4, 2026, Kiel, Germany. Germany said it would aid in Strait reopening once hostilities cease. Getty // Gregor Fischer)

overall

custom

male

female

rep

ind

dem

18-29

30-44

45-64

65+

Holding out, which I support

33%

41%

29%

83%

21%

1%

0%

37%

38%

30%

33%

Holding out, which I oppose

14%

9%

17%

0%

14%

23%

0%

14%

15%

14%

Looking to exit, which I support

40%

30%

44%

4%

42%

64%

49%

38%

35%

47%

40%

Looking to exit, which I oppose

5%

9%

2%

8%

2%

25%

2%

3%

4%

5%

Not sure

9%

10%

8%

5%

15%

9%

25%

9%

8%

4%

9%

Don't care

0%