AP Poll: 65% of Americans Disapprove of Trump’s Iran Policy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows most Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of Iran despite a recent agreement aimed at ending the conflict. Trump’s overall job approval remains unchanged at 37%, while support for his Iran policy remains sharply divided along partisan lines. The survey also found continued public dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of Israel and the economy.
Trump Iran Approval Poll Quick Looks
- 65% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran.
- Trump’s overall job approval remains at 37%.
- Republican voters remain largely supportive of Trump’s Iran strategy.
- Democrats and independents overwhelmingly oppose his approach.
- Most Americans believe U.S. military involvement in Iran has gone too far.
- The Iran agreement has not significantly improved public opinion.
- Only about one-third of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of Israel.
- Economic approval remains weak despite Republican optimism.
- Inflation and high consumer prices continue to concern voters.
- The findings highlight political challenges heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Deep Look
Most Americans Remain Critical of Trump’s Iran Policy, New Poll Shows
A new nationwide survey indicates that President Donald Trump continues to face significant public skepticism over his handling of Iran, even after announcing an agreement designed to reduce tensions and reopen diplomatic negotiations.
The latest poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of the president’s approach to Iran. The findings underscore the political challenges facing Trump as he attempts to convince voters that his administration’s strategy has improved stability in the Middle East while protecting American interests.
The survey was conducted between June 11 and June 17, during a critical period when the administration was shifting away from threats of escalation and toward a negotiated framework with Tehran. The polling concluded shortly before the agreement was formally signed.
Disapproval Remains Strong Despite Diplomatic Progress
According to the survey, 65% of U.S. adults disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran, while only about one-third approve. The numbers have changed little from previous polling conducted earlier this year, suggesting that recent diplomatic developments have not significantly altered public opinion.
The administration has promoted the agreement as a major achievement that reduces the risk of further conflict while reopening negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The deal also restores oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and allows Tehran to resume energy sales that had been disrupted during the conflict.
Yet many Americans remain unconvinced that the agreement represents a meaningful victory.
Critics argue that the arrangement provides Iran with immediate economic benefits while leaving important questions unresolved regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence.
Deep Partisan Divide Continues
As with many issues during Trump’s presidency, opinions on Iran are heavily shaped by political affiliation.
Republican voters remain substantially more supportive of the president’s actions than Democrats and independents. While large majorities of Democrats and independent voters express disapproval, only about 28% of Republicans say they are dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of Iran.
The divide reflects broader disagreements over foreign policy and America’s role in international conflicts.
Some Republican voters view Trump’s willingness to negotiate after military pressure as evidence of strategic strength. Others, however, believe the administration did not secure enough concessions from Tehran before agreeing to reopen talks and ease restrictions.
Public Wants the Conflict to End
One of the clearest messages emerging from the survey is that Americans appear eager for the conflict to conclude.
A majority of respondents said U.S. military involvement in Iran had already gone too far. Although that figure declined slightly compared with polling conducted earlier in the conflict, more than half of Americans still believe military action exceeded appropriate limits.
Independent voters, in particular, expressed concern about prolonged engagement in the region.
Many Americans who supported Trump during the 2024 election campaign were attracted by promises to avoid new foreign wars and focus on domestic priorities. Some now question whether the administration has fulfilled those commitments.
The findings suggest that while voters may support efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation, they remain wary of prolonged military involvement overseas.
Trump’s Overall Approval Rating Holds Steady
Despite criticism over Iran, Trump’s overall job approval rating remained unchanged at 37%, matching levels recorded in previous AP-NORC polling.
The stability suggests that voters’ broader opinions about the president remain largely entrenched. While foreign policy developments attract significant attention, they have not substantially shifted overall perceptions of the administration.
Political analysts often note that presidential approval ratings become increasingly resistant to change in highly polarized political environments, where supporters and opponents rarely alter their views based on a single event.
Israel Policy Also Faces Public Skepticism
The survey found similar challenges for the administration regarding its handling of Israel.
Only about 34% of Americans approve of Trump’s approach toward the longtime U.S. ally. The issue has become increasingly complicated as tensions have emerged between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over military operations in Lebanon and the broader regional strategy surrounding Iran.
The administration has sought to balance support for Israel with efforts to maintain diplomatic momentum with Tehran, creating political pressure from multiple directions.
Some voters believe Trump has been too accommodating toward Israel, while others argue he has not done enough to support one of America’s closest allies.
Economy Remains a Major Vulnerability
While foreign policy dominated headlines, the poll suggests the economy continues to be one of Trump’s most difficult political challenges.
Only about one-third of Americans approve of his economic performance. Concerns about inflation, consumer prices and affordability continue to weigh heavily on public sentiment.
Even among Republicans, economic approval ratings trail overall support for the president.
Many voters acknowledge that inflationary pressures predate Trump’s current term but remain frustrated by the continued rise in everyday costs. From groceries and fuel to dining and housing expenses, Americans continue to cite affordability as one of their biggest concerns.
The economy has historically been one of Trump’s strongest political assets, making these numbers particularly noteworthy.
Midterm Implications
The poll arrives at a critical moment as both parties begin positioning themselves for the 2026 midterm elections.
For Democrats, the findings offer evidence that dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of foreign affairs and the economy remains widespread.
For Republicans, the survey highlights the challenge of maintaining support among independent voters while defending administration policies that continue to generate controversy.
Although Trump’s core Republican base remains largely supportive, the data suggests the White House has work to do if it hopes to broaden support beyond loyal party voters.
Looking Ahead
The AP-NORC survey paints a picture of a deeply divided electorate that remains skeptical about both the administration’s foreign policy decisions and its economic performance.
While Trump’s Iran agreement may have reduced the immediate threat of further conflict, it has not yet translated into a meaningful political boost. Public opinion remains largely unchanged, and concerns about the economy continue to dominate voters’ priorities.
As negotiations with Iran move forward and the administration attempts to demonstrate tangible results from the agreement, the coming months may determine whether voters view the strategy as a diplomatic success or another source of political frustration.
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