Survey: Americans question Iran war’s purpose, support ceasefire

(CN) — As President Donald Trump extends the ceasefire in the war with Iran and uncertainty over peace talks continues, a survey finds that the majority of national respondents favor a ceasefire and question the administration’s handling of the war.

Marquette Law School’s survey released Wednesday found strong bipartisan support for the ceasefire that went into effect weeks ago. The survey was conducted over eight days of online interviews by a team from the Marquette Law School Poll, who interviewed over 900 adults with varying political beliefs and identities nationwide from April 8 to April 16.

With some partisan variation, researchers found that there is a popular belief that the country’s war goals remain unmet. Bipartisanship begins to break down over the justification for the war — though the majority of respondents believe there was an insufficient reason for it, even 64% of those in the president’s party. A majority of Democrats and independents, 94% and 78%, respectively, say the United States has failed to achieve its goals in Iran.

Prior to the April 7 ceasefire, the Trump administration threatened to strike bridges and power plants in Iran — a move seemingly opposed by most Americans. Only 38% of respondents identified these sites as legitimate military targets, while 62% considered them civilian, which are unsuitable for attack.

Public approval of President Trump’s handling of the conflict and inflation is declining, even among Republicans. Approval rates for Trump’s handling of the war stand at just 32%. Sixty-five percent of Republicans approve, though this is a marked drop from his usual level of party support.

“The striking finding is how widespread dissatisfaction is with the war," Charles Franklin, the director of the Marquette Law School Poll wrote in an email. “On goals, justification, targeting bridges & power plants, and Trump’s handling of the war, more than 60% are unhappy with how things are going. The domestic shock to the economy is also worsening the public outlook.”

The survey also found that the majority of respondents do not see the United States as a force for stability in the world. Instead, 60% view the United States as the cause of instability.

Rising gas and grocery prices have also become significant concerns across the country, especially since the war began.

Gas prices have surged to the top of voters’ minds, with 93% saying prices are up since January — a reversal from polling earlier this year, when half of respondents said they believed gas prices had gone down.

The spike in energy costs reflects a similar sharp increase in grocery prices, with 82% of respondents now reporting higher bills at grocery stores.

An overall opinion of the economy has worsened remarkably. Nearly half of respondents describe the economy as “not so good”, while 30% of respondents rate it as poor — both responses up since January.

Expectations for the coming year have also darkened, with 70% of respondents now expecting inflation to worsen.

“Inflation and the cost of living remains the #1 issue concern with Americans,” Franklin said. “An end to the war and lower gas prices could bring some improvement in the public mood, but right now it is bleak.”

Beyond concerns about the economy and the war, the survey found rising opposition to data centers and a more negative perception of AI, Meta, and Israel, with concerns and disapproval transcending party lines.