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Most Americans oppose sending U.S. ground troops to Iran and want the war to end quickly, according to multiple recent polls, as the conflict enters its second month and President Donald Trump weighs potential escalation.
An Economist-YouGov poll conducted from Friday through Monday found that only 14% of Americans support deploying ground troops, while 62% oppose it and 24% remain unsure. Separate polls by Ipsos and AP-NORC also showed opposition outpacing support by more than four to one.
The opposition spans political lines, with more Republicans opposing than supporting ground troop deployment, 37% to 30%, according to the YouGov survey.
Support within Trump’s base is also limited, with 41% of self-identified MAGA supporters favoring ground operations and 27% opposing them. Among non-MAGA Republicans, 60% oppose using ground troops.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 55% of Americans do not support any use of U.S. ground troops in Iran, while 34% support limited deployment of special forces and only 7% back a large-scale operation.
Polling suggests that support for any significant ground operation remains limited, with broader opposition solidifying as the war continues.
Early polls during the first two weeks of the war showed about 40% support for U.S. strikes, with roughly half opposing them. More recent surveys indicate nearly 60% of Americans now oppose the conflict.
A Pew Research Center poll found 59% believe the U.S. made the wrong decision in using military force in Iran, while a Fox News poll found 58% oppose current U.S. military action.
Democrats overwhelmingly oppose the war, with 88% against it in the Fox News poll, while 77% of Republicans support it, though divisions remain within the party. Independents have also grown more critical, opposing the conflict by about a 40-point margin.
The growing opposition poses political risks for Trump and Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections, as gas prices reach $4 per gallon and allies show little interest in supporting U.S. operations.
A Washington Post report said the Pentagon is preparing for potential weeks of ground operations, including possible actions targeting Iran’s Kharg Island and coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has said he is not planning to deploy troops, stating on March 19, “I’m not putting troops anywhere,” though he added he would not disclose such plans if they existed.
Concerns about casualties also remain significant. A Washington Post poll found 63% of Americans said the number of U.S. casualties so far was not acceptable.
Despite mixed views on how the war is progressing, there is a strong consensus on ending it quickly.
A CBS News-YouGov poll found 92% of Americans consider it important to end the conflict as soon as possible. An Ipsos poll showed 66% want the U.S. to end its involvement quickly, even if not all objectives are achieved, compared to 27% who support continuing operations.
At the same time, broader goals such as stopping Iran’s nuclear program remain widely supported, with 73% backing efforts to halt nuclear development and 68% supporting measures to prevent Iran from threatening other countries.
Polls indicate that while Americans support limiting Iran’s capabilities, they remain reluctant to escalate the conflict further, particularly through the deployment of ground troops.
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