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Americans want Iran conflict ended but doubt US goals met: Poll

Zolfaghar missiles are displayed during a rally marking al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2017. (AFP Photo)
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Zolfaghar missiles are displayed during a rally marking al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2017. (AFP Photo)
June 22, 2026 11:46 AM GMT+03:00

A CBS News/YouGov poll found that most Americans want the U.S. conflict with Iran to end, but many doubt the U.S. achieved its main goals, including permanently stopping Iran's nuclear program, limiting Tehran's regional threat, and securing a better agreement for Washington.

The survey, conducted from June 17-19 among 2,519 U.S. adults, found that 78% of respondents said the U.S. should end the conflict now, while 22% said it should continue the conflict until Iran gives up more.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.

The poll also found that 37% of Americans said the agreement between the U.S. and Iran was better for Iran, while 22% said it was better for the U.S. Another 41% said it was about equal for each side.

Many Americans say agreement favors Iran

The CBS News/YouGov survey showed that more than a third of Americans viewed the agreement as more favorable to Tehran.

According to the poll, 37% said the agreement was better for Iran, compared with 22% who said it was better for the U.S. A larger share, 41%, said the agreement was about equal for each side.

A separate poll graphic showed a partisan split among Republicans. Among all Republicans, 39% said the agreement was better for the U.S., 19% said it was better for Iran, and 42% said it was about equal for each side.

Among MAGA Republicans, 47% said the agreement was better for the U.S., 12% said it was better for Iran and 41% said it was about equal for each side.

The poll also found that 66% of Americans said the Trump administration reached the agreement mainly because it wanted the conflict to be over, while 34% said it did so because it thought the U.S. had met its goals.

US President Donald Trump looks on after arriving at Paris Orly Airport en route to a dinner at Orly Airport, south of Paris, June 17, 2026. (AFP Photo)
US President Donald Trump looks on after arriving at Paris Orly Airport en route to a dinner at Orly Airport, south of Paris, June 17, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Most want conflict ended now

The survey found broad public support for ending the conflict.

Overall, 78% of Americans said the U.S. should end the conflict now, while 22% said it should continue the conflict until Iran gives up more.

Among Republicans, the poll showed more division. Some 60% of all Republicans said the U.S. should end the conflict now, while 40% said it should continue until Iran gives up more.

Among MAGA Republicans, 56% said the U.S. should end the conflict now, while 44% said it should continue until Iran gives up more.

CBS News said Americans wanted the Iran war to end, especially those hardest hit by gas prices, and that many saw hope for lower prices.

Public doubts US stopped Iran's nuclear program

The poll found that most Americans did not believe the U.S. had permanently stopped Iran's nuclear program.

Asked whether the U.S. had permanently stopped Iran's nuclear program, 31% said "yes, done," while 69% said, "no, not done."

The survey also found that 32% said the U.S. had stopped Iran from threatening other countries, while 68% said it had not.

Asked whether the U.S. had made sure Iran's people were safe and free, 26% said it had done so, while 74% said it had not.

On whether the U.S. had changed Iran's leaders to pro-U.S. figures, 21% said it had done so, while 79% said it had not.

CBS News said few Americans felt the U.S. had made Iran's people safe and free or changed Iran's leadership to one that is pro-U.S.

The Iranian flag flutters near the Milad Tower, part of the International Trade and Convention Center of Tehran, in the capital, May 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)
The Iranian flag flutters near the Milad Tower, part of the International Trade and Convention Center of Tehran, in the capital, May 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Majority expects Iran to threaten region

The poll found that 59% of Americans said Iran probably or certainly would threaten the region in the coming months, while 40% said it probably or certainly would not.

Asked what would happen in the Strait of Hormuz, 60% said oil shipments would return to pre-conflict levels, while 40% said Iran would try to block oil shipments.

The poll also showed uncertainty about Iran's standing after the conflict.

Compared with before the conflict, 25% said Iran was stronger, 37% said it was weaker and 38% said it was the same.

Asked whether ending the conflict with Iran's current leadership still in power would be acceptable, Americans were evenly split: 50% said it would be acceptable, while 50% said it would not be acceptable.

CBS News said half of respondents said it was not acceptable to end the war with the current leaders in place and that this group was relatively more likely to think Iran would threaten its neighbors.

Most say conflict not worth costs

The poll found that 69% of Americans said the conflict with Iran was not worth the costs for the U.S., while 31% said it was worth the costs.

Asked whether the conflict solved more problems than it created, 21% said it solved more problems than it created, 57% said it created more problems than it solved and 21% said neither.

On whether the conflict was successful in terms of U.S. military operations, 37% said it was successful, 38% said it was not successful and 25% said neither.

On U.S. strategic interests, 29% said the conflict was successful, 45% said it was not successful and 25% said neither.

On U.S. economic interests, 28% said it was successful, 47% said it was not successful and 25% said neither.

CBS News said the public was not persuaded that the U.S. effort succeeded in its strategic or economic interests.

Americans expect impact on economy, gas prices

The survey found that 64% of Americans said the conflict with Iran had more impact on the world economy than Trump expected, while 26% said it had about the impact expected and 10% said it had less impact than Trump expected.

On gas prices in the U.S. over the next few weeks, 42% said they expected prices to go down, 35% said they expected them to stay the same and 23% said they expected them to go up.

CBS News said the desire to end the war was partly connected to gas prices, with more people expecting prices to fall rather than continue rising.

The outlet also said the more people said gas prices had been difficult, the more likely they were to say the war should end now.

Trump approval on Iran stands at 36%

The poll found that 36% of Americans approved of President Donald Trump's handling of the situation with Iran, while 64% disapproved.

Trump's overall approval rating stood at 38% in the latest poll.

The poll graphic showed Trump's overall approval rating at 53% in February 2025, 45% in June 2025, 44% in September 2025, 40% in November 2025, 41% in February 2026, 39% in April 2026, 37% in May 2026 and 38% in the latest survey.

CBS News said the prospect of lower gas prices appeared to have helped stabilize Trump's overall approval ratings and his handling of the Iran situation specifically, though not to pre-war levels.

June 22, 2026 11:46 AM GMT+03:00
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