Majority of Americans see Iran as an enemy, but military options aren’t as popular

A majority of Americans favor negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program despite viewing the Islamic Republic as an enemy and its nuclear ambitions as a serious threat, according to a new poll conducted as President Donald Trump weighs whether to join Israel’s escalating military campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Economist/YouGov poll, conducted June 13-16 among 1,512 U.S. adults, reveals a public torn between viewing Iran as a grave threat while preferring diplomatic solutions over military intervention. The survey was taken as Israel launched what it called “Operation Rising Lion,” a surprise attack targeting Iranian nuclear sites, military installations and top commanders.

Nuclear threat drives concern

Half of Americans consider Iran to be an enemy of the United States, with an additional 25% viewing it as unfriendly, according to the poll. Only 5% see Iran as an ally or friendly nation.

The nuclear threat dominates American concerns about Iran. Sixty-one percent of respondents view Iran’s nuclear program as at least a somewhat serious threat, with 24% calling it an immediate and serious threat and 37% considering it somewhat serious.

These fears come as Iran has accumulated stockpiles sufficient to produce weapons-grade material in roughly one week and enough for up to 10 nuclear weapons in three weeks, according to U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla.

Diplomatic preference despite adversarial views

Despite the hostile perceptions, 56% of Americans believe the U.S. should engage in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, while only 18% oppose talks.

When asked about preferred negotiating strategies, Americans favor economic and diplomatic pressure over military threats. Twenty-eight percent would threaten harsher economic sanctions, 26% would offer resumed diplomatic relations as an incentive, and 24% would ease existing sanctions. Only 18% support threatening military force.

Military intervention faces strong opposition

The poll shows clear reluctance for U.S. military involvement in the current Israel-Iran conflict. Sixty percent of Americans oppose U.S. military involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, with only 16% supporting intervention.

This opposition comes as Trump held a Situation Room meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss U.S. options on involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. Two officials told CNN that Trump is growing increasingly warm to using U.S. military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.

Escalating conflict tests public opinion

The polling was conducted during the opening days of the most serious direct confrontation between Israel and Iran in decades. Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, targeting dozens of Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases and key commanders. At least 10 people were killed in Israel overnight after multiple Iranian missiles evaded the country’s defense systems, while explosions rocked Tehran where the health ministry said 224 have been killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear program by a “very long time” but emphasized that more targets remain. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any U.S. military intervention would result in “irreparable damage”.

Trump’s nuclear red line

The conflict erupted as Trump has repeatedly emphasized that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple,” Trump has stated repeatedly.

On Tuesday, Trump escalated his rhetoric, calling Iran’s Supreme Leader an “easy target” but adding “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now”. He has demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” while warning that U.S. patience is “wearing thin”.

Trump has threatened that if current nuclear talks fail, “there will be bombing” and warned it would be “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before”.

Presidential approval divided

Public opinion on Trump’s handling of Iran remains closely divided. Thirty-seven percent approve of his approach, including 20% who strongly approve, while 41% disapprove, with 31% strongly disapproving. Twenty-two percent have no opinion.

The mixed approval ratings come as Trump faces pressure from both Israel and his own political base as he ponders whether to attempt what sources call “a killer blow against Iran’s nuclear program”.

Regional stakes rise

The conflict began the day after the expiration of a two-month deadline that Trump had set for securing a deal to keep Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. A day before the Israeli strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they had assisted Iran by launching ballistic missiles at Israel, while oil prices surged to their highest levels in nearly five months as energy traders brace for further escalation.

The poll suggests that while Americans view Iran as a clear adversary and its nuclear program as threatening, they prefer a measured approach emphasizing negotiations and economic tools rather than military action — even as their president weighs joining what could become the most significant Middle East conflict in decades.

The Economist/YouGov poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.