President Donald Trump’s massive military operation against Iran is popular with around 60% of likely voters, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
The poll from OnMessage, which surveyed 1,800 likely voters on Monday and Tuesday, suggests that most of the American public aligns with Trump’s messaging on “Operation Epic Fury” and is on board with the joint U.S.-Israeli mission to wipe out the authoritarian regime.
The poll shows that 56% of likely voters support the United States taking out Iranian leadership, while 63% agree with targeting Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile sites. Nearly 70% of respondents, meanwhile, agree with the Trump administration’s argument that Iran is a “threat to global peace and democracy,” and 76% agree that “if Iran built a nuclear weapon, [it] would pose a direct threat to the United States.”
The results fly in the face of Democratic Party talking points, which condemn the president for taking military action against Iran without congressional approval. Many Democratic lawmakers have been vocal in their opposition to “Operation Epic Fury,” arguing that Trump is abusing his authority and putting Americans at risk with his military operation. Only two congressional Democrats, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, have voiced their support for Trump’s action.
Since the strikes began last weekend, Trump has regularly addressed the mission, while his senior officials — including War Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan “Raizin” Caine — have provided daily updates to the American people.
The Trump administration has said the Iran strikes are necessary because the regime posed an “imminent threat” to the region and would have likely targeted American troops first if the United States did not act. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff also said earlier this week that during recent negotiations with the regime, Iranian officials bragged that they had enough uranium to produce nearly a dozen nuclear weapons.
On Tuesday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that his decision to strike Iran alongside Israel likely prevented a nuclear war, where Iran could have “taken out many countries.”
“If we didn’t do what we’re doing right now, you would’ve had a nuclear war and they would’ve taken out many countries because you know what? They’re sick people. They’re mentally ill, sick people. They’re angry. They’re crazy. They’re sick,” Trump added.
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While Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the administration was mindful of the risk of Israeli action and potential retaliation, Trump himself shot down the idea that the United States was forced to take military action because Israel planned on striking Iran first. “No,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “I might have forced their hand.”
“We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. They were going to attack. If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.”
The OnMessage poll also showed that even Democrats and independents who would not support Trump’s handling of other issues agree with military action against Iran as long as the United States can finish its objectives quickly. Sixty-five percent of self-described Democrats and 68% of independents agreed with the statement, “I support military action against Iran that helps free Iranians from oppression and neutralize threats against America, but don’t want the United States to get stuck in another forever war in the Middle East.”
Trump has suggested a four-week timeline for “Operation Epic Fury,” but he has also said the military action could be longer or shorter depending on how quickly his objectives are met. American and Israeli forces have already taken out dozens of top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, obliterated Iran’s air defenses, and destroyed most of Iran’s navy.
Trump has not ruled out putting American boots on the ground in Iran. He has also suggested that he wants to see the Iranian people take control of their government from the authoritarian regime. In an address announcing the strikes early Saturday morning, Trump said, “To the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”
