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European polls show widespread opposition to US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Smoke rises from various locations in Tehran, Iran, on March 07, 2026, following multiple explosions across the capital. (AA Photo)
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Smoke rises from various locations in Tehran, Iran, on March 07, 2026, following multiple explosions across the capital. (AA Photo)
March 07, 2026 03:57 PM GMT+03:00

Recent public opinion surveys across Europe published Friday show that large segments of the public in several countries oppose the United States and Israel’s strikes on Iran.

According to polls conducted in Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom, majorities in these countries reject military intervention and favor cautious or neutral positions by their governments.

57% support Spain’s decision not to provide military support

In Spain, a rapid poll conducted by Madrid-based research firm 40dB for the newspaper El Pais and Cadena SER radio found that around 68% of respondents oppose the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

The survey also showed that 57% support Spain’s decision not to provide military support to the United States and Israel, while 53% believe the United States should not be allowed to use military bases in Spain for operations related to the conflict.

Around 42% of respondents said they approve of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s handling of the crisis.

Nearly 80% said they are closely following developments and that their most common feeling about the conflict is concern.

Smoke rises from the site of airstrikes in Tehran on March 7, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Smoke rises from the site of airstrikes in Tehran on March 7, 2026. (AFP Photo)

48% believe Italy should remain neutral

A similar trend appeared in Italy, according to a poll conducted by Rome-based research company YouTrend for Sky TG24 television.

The survey found that 56% of respondents oppose U.S. and Israeli military intervention against Iran.

Support for the attacks is higher among center-right voters, with 57% backing the intervention, while 79% of broader center-left voters oppose it.

Some 48% of respondents believe the Italian government should remain neutral and act as a mediator between the parties.

Another 29% said the government should condemn the attacks and immediately call for a ceasefire.

Smoke rises from the site of airstrikes at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran on March 7, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Smoke rises from the site of airstrikes at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran on March 7, 2026. (AFP Photo)

War 'not justified' say 58% in Germany

In Germany, a public opinion survey published by public broadcaster ARD also indicates low public support for the war.

According to the survey, 58% of respondents believe the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran is not justified.

About 75% said they are concerned that the conflict could spread to other countries.

Trust in the United States fell to 15%, the lowest level recorded in the past 20 years.

The survey also showed that only 17% of respondents consider Israel a reliable partner, while 85% believe global politics is increasingly dominated by a system where “might makes right.”

49% of Britons oppose the strikes

In the United Kingdom, polls conducted by London-based research and data analysis company YouGov indicate limited public support for U.S. strikes on Iran.

A survey conducted March 2, after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, found that 49% of Britons oppose the strikes, while 28% support them.

A significant portion of respondents also oppose the use of Royal Air Force bases in the U.K. for U.S. operations.

A study conducted at the end of February showed that 58% opposed allowing U.S. strikes to be launched from British bases.

Even when the condition that operations be “limited only to missile targets” was added in the March 2 survey, opposition still stood at 50%.

The research also found that 45% of Britons believe the government should neither praise nor condemn U.S. strikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, 47% of respondents said Prime Minister Keir Starmer has handled the U.S.-Iran tension poorly, while 34% said he managed the situation well.

Conflict intensifies in Middle East

Regional tensions escalated after the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran beginning Feb. 28.

The attacks have reportedly killed more than 1,000 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, more than 150 schoolgirls and several senior military officials.

The conflict has triggered widespread regional instability and retaliatory attacks from Tehran against U.S.-linked sites across the region.

March 07, 2026 03:57 PM GMT+03:00
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