Poll Finds Nearly Half of Americans Say Iran War Made U.S. Less Safe

A poll conducted by Eurasia Group’s Institute for Global Affairs found that 47 percent of Americans believe the war in Iran has made the United States less safe. The survey, taken between April 24 and 27, showed 78 percent of Democrats, 47 percent of independents, and nearly one quarter of Republicans holding that view.

Roughly one quarter of all respondents said the campaign has made the country more safe.

None of the six reasons offered for starting the conflict received majority support. The most popular justifications—preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear program and protecting the United States from attacks—each drew 38 percent overall. Republicans backed the nuclear rationale at 73 percent, while other goals such as degrading Iran’s military capabilities and protecting Israel received less than 50 percent support from any partisan group.

The poll recorded that the Pentagon had estimated war costs at $25 billion when the survey was taken, a figure that has since risen to $29 billion. 5 trillion military budget, up from $1 trillion last year. Forty-seven percent of respondents said lawmakers should decrease the military budget, 28 percent favored maintaining current levels, and 10 percent supported an increase.

U.S. interests more than it helps. Twenty-four percent of respondents named Israel as primarily responsible for the war’s outbreak, including 33 percent of Democrats.