In polling accomplished simply earlier than information of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran, most Individuals thought the U.S. must be a minimum of pressuring or partaking the Iranian management in some type.
And within the days earlier than the strikes started, there was motion towards approval of a U.S. army motion particularly to cease them from making nuclear weapons; that change got here after President Trump’s State of the Union handle earlier this week, on Feb. 24.
The impact of that was that the nation went into the beginning of the battle break up about it.
The general public had voiced a collective uncertainty about how lengthy a battle with Iran would final. Extra thought it will final months and even years, slightly than simply days or perhaps weeks. Supporters tended to suppose it will be brief.
That units some context because it now unfolds.
Views on the length of a possible battle have been tied intently as to whether Individuals mentioned they’d again army motion or not: Those that thought the battle can be fast tended to favor army motion (previous to the beginning), however those that thought it will take a very long time have been opposed.
With regard to the Iranian ruling regime, extra favored U.S. financial or diplomatic strain, slightly than army power to take away them. Both approach, a considerable majority of Individuals thought the U.S. must be partaking in some type.
Individuals overwhelmingly did suppose that Congress would want to approve army motion.
The variety of Individuals who felt the president had defined the U.S. place ticked up a bit following the State of the Union, however as of the beginning of the motion, he nonetheless hadn’t happy a big majority of Individuals.
Earlier than the strikes, the president’s approval for his dealing with of Iran was a bit increased than his general approval, although nonetheless web damaging.
For context, in CBS Information polling going again a long time, Iran or its potential nuclear functionality has in some type been seen as a menace within the public thoughts, although typically one which many felt could possibly be contained or addressed diplomatically. Final summer time, when the U.S. carried out airstrikes in opposition to Iranian nuclear amenities, views have been partisan, with most Republicans approving.
The U.S. economic system
The optimism in regards to the economic system that the president expressed within the State of the Union is not shared by most Individuals.
Expectations for the subsequent yr are for a slowing economic system, and even recession, and that has been the case for some time. General scores of the U.S. economic system proceed to be net-negative.
In actual fact, a large majority proceed to suppose the president describes issues with inflation as higher than they really are.
Earlier than the strikes on Iran, Mr. Trump’s situation approval scores have been in step with what they have been simply previous to his State of the Union handle. His general approval had been pretty secure in latest weeks, and a degree up from simply earlier than the State of the Union.
This CBS Information/YouGov survey was carried out with a nationally consultant pattern of two,264 U.S. adults interviewed between February 25-27, 2026. The pattern was weighted to be consultant of adults nationwide in line with gender, age, race, and schooling, based mostly on the U.S. Census American Group Survey and Present Inhabitants Survey, in addition to 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is ±2.5 factors.
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