Most Americans Expect Prolonged U.S. Military Campaign Against Iran

Most Americans believe any U.S. military campaign against Iran is likely to be prolonged, while a majority continue to oppose the conflict, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll.

The survey found that 79% of Americans expect U.S. military involvement against Iran to last for an extended period, suggesting that nearly eight in 10 respondents do not believe the conflict will end quickly.

The figure represents a significant increase from late March, when 65% of respondents expressed concern that any confrontation with Iran would become a long-term conflict. According to Ipsos, the share has risen by 14 percentage points in just a few months.

The poll also showed that most Americans remain opposed to military action against Iran. Some 58% of respondents said they oppose the military campaign, while 37% expressed support for the strikes.

Public opinion was also divided over whether the military operation was justified. A majority of 51% said launching military action against Iran was not the right decision for the United States. By contrast, only 24% believed the intervention was justified, while 23% said they were unsure or had no opinion.

Analysts say the findings suggest growing public concern over both the potential duration of the conflict and its overall necessity. Rising costs, the prospect of U.S. casualties and the possibility of prolonged American involvement in the Middle East are increasingly shaping public opinion, they said.