The public’s appetite for a U.S. attack on Iran was low before President Trump and Israel took action on Saturday.
Most Americans said they were either opposed to such action (49 percent) or were not sure (30 percent), according to University of Maryland poll taken two weeks ago.
Among Republicans there were reservations, with 40 percent in favor of a strike, 25 percent opposed and 35 percent who said they did not know.
An AP-NORC poll, conducted last week, showed low confidence in President Trump’s ability to handle military force. Only 27 percent of Americans, and just 14 percent of political independents, said they trusted him to make the right choices when it comes to the use of military force abroad.
At the same time, the poll found that almost half of all U.S. adults say they are extremely or very concerned about Iran’s nuclear program. Another 31 percent are moderately concerned.
The Times will occasionally feature polling that illustrates how Americans are feeling about the issues of the day. The numbers come from high-quality polls with a record for accuracy and rigorous methods.
Ruth Igielnik is a Times polling editor who conducts polls and analyzes and reports on the results.
