Most Americans don't think Iran war is going well, CBS News poll finds

CBS News
March 23, 2026
4 views
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

A CBS News poll shows nearly 60 percent of Americans believe the Iran war is going badly, reflecting public skepticism.

AI Summary

A CBS News poll shows nearly 60 percent of Americans believe the war with Iran is going very or somewhat badly, reflecting deepening public skepticism about the conflict's progress. The survey captures voter sentiment at a critical moment as the Trump administration manages an active military engagement that has consumed significant diplomatic and military resources. Public opinion on war tends to shift as casualty rates rise, costs mount, and strategic objectives remain unclear to civilians. This polling data could influence congressional pressure on the White House and shape 2026 midterm messaging on foreign policy. CBS News executive director of elections and surveys Anthony Salvanto analyzed the findings.

Source Coverage Map

24 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

56% coverage
Did Not Cover (19)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP US News96ProPublica95Bellingcat95+14 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Most Americans say US military action against Iran has gone too far, a new AP-NORC poll finds - AP News
Politics

Most Americans say US military action against Iran has gone too far, a new AP-NORC poll finds - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxQbkhiNHczdEtfeHQzSFFIa2dxVjFGUy1pZk5ONEtqWU5QQy1Db3pxbi1VeDlrUmtIZ2ZaTVVsMFh5cVJrN3JtWi1yUmNDeE16N0M5a25zTGFwSm1LYklOYkstUllsQzFyODN3WmN0bm42YmhZb1d3SDhvWkh0TEYzUGRvSnJIemJnQlJJa0VMSUVrYVk0YzBCT2N3?oc=5" target="_blank">Most Americans say US military action against Iran has gone too far, a new AP-NORC poll finds</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 25
Trump approval sinks to 36 percent in Reuters/Ipsos poll amid gas price spike, Iran war
Politics

Trump approval sinks to 36 percent in Reuters/Ipsos poll amid gas price spike, Iran war

President Trump’s approval rating is taking a hit during his administration’s military operations against Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The president’s job performance rating sunk to a new low of 36 percent in the Reuters/Ipsos survey, with 62 percent of respondents saying they disapproved of Trump’s performance. A survey from the polling center only…

The HillMar 24
The right is openly divided over the Iran war as conservatives gather for CPAC
Politics

The right is openly divided over the Iran war as conservatives gather for CPAC

This year, neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance has been publicly announced as speaking to the gathering. But among those who are slated to speak are big names in the MAGA movement who have voiced conflicting views on the Iran war.

PBS NewsHourMar 25
Trump sinks to record low approval rating due to Iran war in new poll - USA Today
Politics

Trump sinks to record low approval rating due to Iran war in new poll - USA Today

USA TodayMar 24
Trump visits Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts in shadow of Iran war - Reuters
Politics

Trump visits Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts in shadow of Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxPUHY4cjctVHRJUHQwZzZ1MTBmRGxRT24wQlV4bXMtMjlFTWpISHZZZk5sUnJIS2w3by1hQlBiSFVnWUppUEtzYko4SXlyeEdIUXo5NHEzVThQQ2JROTY0S1B5c010dm4yZFRFV1AyOGZwcG9wMl85R08yUXpKRTRGS2xlbzBIUlFrdDJEdGh1cjljYjNZQkxrZmxIRXE2bC1oQm8yaWxRZEdTYUstQmZr?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump visits Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts in shadow of Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 23
‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war
Politics

‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war

<p>Though the majority of the president’s base backs the war, a schism has developed among Trump-touting media stars</p><p>When the histories of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">Iran war</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a>’s “Make America great again” (Maga) movement are written, there may be a special place for the words of former US congresswoman <a href="https://x.com/mtgreenee/status/2033523572228952562">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>: “I wholeheartedly support Megyn Kelly telling the world that Mark Levin has a micropenis.”</p><p>Greene’s social media post summed up how the media stars of the Trump coalition <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/us/politics/iran-war-trump-conservative-divide-israel.html">have turned on each other</a> in a ferocious, bitter and – sometimes – vulgar brawl. Figures such as Kelly, Levin, Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro have clashed over...

The Guardian US NewsMar 22
Read Next
Trump administration to face questions about seizure of Fulton County ballots
Politics

Trump administration to face questions about seizure of Fulton County ballots

Trump administration attorneys will face serious questions for the first time on Friday about the seizure of 2020 election records from a Fulton County election site.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources