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Americans Express Deep Skepticism Over Iran War Costs, Peace Deal and Strategy
When the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, the world watched the Strait of Hormuz close and the first casualty of the conflict—Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—go down. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday shows that most Americans now question whether that opening was worth the price.
Only 24 % of the 1,262‑person survey said the war was worth the money, lives, equipment and the energy shock caused by the temporary shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Half of respondents said it was not worth it, and 26 % were unsure. The findings suggest a growing public belief that the U.S. has paid a steep price for an uncertain outcome.
The poll also turned its lens to the June 17 agreement between President Donald J. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which reopened the Strait in exchange for eased sanctions. A striking 63 % of Americans doubt that the deal will bring lasting peace, while only 18 % believe it will hold. The same survey revealed that 35 % think the United States is now weaker relative to Iran, compared with 23 % who say it is stronger, leaving the rest uncertain.
Operation Epic Fury, a joint strike that targeted Iranian military and government sites, claimed the life of Supreme Leader Khamenei on its first day. The war has already cost the United States roughly $35.22 billion as of the 117th day of hostilities, according to a live tracker maintained by MilitarySpend.org, and 15 U.S. service members have been killed.
The temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Oil prices surged, and concerns about the availability of liquefied natural gas and fertilizer supplies grew. The shutdown also prompted the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to halt production of several products, tightening supply chains further.
In the wake of these high costs, the Pentagon has reportedly told senators that it needs about $80 billion to replenish stockpiles and cover operational expenses. That request sits within a broader defense budget that President Trump has asked Congress to approve at $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027—an increase of 50 % over the previous year.
The administration has also asked Congress for an additional $88 billion in emergency aid, including $21 billion for munitions and $4 billion for a satellite program to track airborne targets. Lawmakers’ responses have been mixed, with some expressing concern about the urgency of the funding.
The war’s toll has taken a political hit as well. Reuters reports that Trump’s approval rating fell to 34 % during the conflict, matching the low reached in April 2026. The decline reflects growing public fatigue over the war’s human and economic costs.
The poll’s findings suggest that the American public remains divided on the strategic value of the Iran war. While a minority believes the conflict was justified, the majority question whether the benefits outweigh the losses. That skepticism extends to the peace agreement, with most respondents doubtful that the deal will bring lasting stability.
The situation remains fluid. The U.S. government continues to monitor the war’s progress and the effectiveness of the peace agreement, while Congress deliberates on the defense budget and emergency funding requests. Industry groups and policymakers are watching the economic repercussions, particularly in energy markets and agriculture, closely.
Unresolved questions include the long‑term impact of the Strait of Hormuz shutdown on global supply chains, the durability of the peace agreement, and the extent to which the U.S. will maintain its military presence in the region. Congress is expected to vote on the defense budget in the coming weeks, and further investigations into the war’s cost and strategic outcomes may be launched.
The war’s outcome will shape U.S. foreign policy, defense spending, and domestic political dynamics for years to come. The public’s skepticism, as captured by the latest poll, underscores the need for transparent communication and a clear assessment of the conflict’s objectives and costs.
Only 24 % of the 1,262‑person survey said the war was worth the money, lives, equipment and the energy shock caused by the temporary shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Half of respondents said it was not worth it, and 26 % were unsure. The findings suggest a growing public belief that the U.S. has paid a steep price for an uncertain outcome.
The poll also turned its lens to the June 17 agreement between President Donald J. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which reopened the Strait in exchange for eased sanctions. A striking 63 % of Americans doubt that the deal will bring lasting peace, while only 18 % believe it will hold. The same survey revealed that 35 % think the United States is now weaker relative to Iran, compared with 23 % who say it is stronger, leaving the rest uncertain.
Operation Epic Fury, a joint strike that targeted Iranian military and government sites, claimed the life of Supreme Leader Khamenei on its first day. The war has already cost the United States roughly $35.22 billion as of the 117th day of hostilities, according to a live tracker maintained by MilitarySpend.org, and 15 U.S. service members have been killed.
The temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Oil prices surged, and concerns about the availability of liquefied natural gas and fertilizer supplies grew. The shutdown also prompted the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to halt production of several products, tightening supply chains further.
In the wake of these high costs, the Pentagon has reportedly told senators that it needs about $80 billion to replenish stockpiles and cover operational expenses. That request sits within a broader defense budget that President Trump has asked Congress to approve at $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027—an increase of 50 % over the previous year.
The administration has also asked Congress for an additional $88 billion in emergency aid, including $21 billion for munitions and $4 billion for a satellite program to track airborne targets. Lawmakers’ responses have been mixed, with some expressing concern about the urgency of the funding.
The war’s toll has taken a political hit as well. Reuters reports that Trump’s approval rating fell to 34 % during the conflict, matching the low reached in April 2026. The decline reflects growing public fatigue over the war’s human and economic costs.
The poll’s findings suggest that the American public remains divided on the strategic value of the Iran war. While a minority believes the conflict was justified, the majority question whether the benefits outweigh the losses. That skepticism extends to the peace agreement, with most respondents doubtful that the deal will bring lasting stability.
The situation remains fluid. The U.S. government continues to monitor the war’s progress and the effectiveness of the peace agreement, while Congress deliberates on the defense budget and emergency funding requests. Industry groups and policymakers are watching the economic repercussions, particularly in energy markets and agriculture, closely.
Unresolved questions include the long‑term impact of the Strait of Hormuz shutdown on global supply chains, the durability of the peace agreement, and the extent to which the U.S. will maintain its military presence in the region. Congress is expected to vote on the defense budget in the coming weeks, and further investigations into the war’s cost and strategic outcomes may be launched.
The war’s outcome will shape U.S. foreign policy, defense spending, and domestic political dynamics for years to come. The public’s skepticism, as captured by the latest poll, underscores the need for transparent communication and a clear assessment of the conflict’s objectives and costs.
