Only one in four Americans approves of the US strikes on Iran. About half—including one in four Republicans—believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
In his November 2024 election night victory speech, President Donald Trump declared, “I’m not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars.”
Last October, the White House posted a photo to X that labeled Trump as “The Peace President.”
On Saturday, Trump directed the US to launch military strikes on Iran.
In a video released before dawn Saturday morning, President Donald Trump announced the US was undertaking a “massive and ongoing operation” to end the Iranian nuclear threat, while calling for regime change in Tehran.
US and Israel military forces began bombing targets within Iran Saturday, with Iran responding with strikes on US allies in the region.
Four days later, the war has spiraled further, sending the Middle East into chaos as Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, neighboring Gulf states, and targets critical to the world’s production of oil and natural gas.
So far, the war has killed hundreds, nearly all of them in Iran, as well as many of the country’s top leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian state media has reported that at least 165 people were killed and dozens of others were wounded Saturday by what Iran says was an airstrike on a girls school in the country’s south.
As of Tuesday, six US soldiers have been killed in the conflict. Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social platform on Sunday that “sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more, but we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
Trump’s decision to enter into another regime change war that will put countless lives at risk, without Congressional approval, is not a popular decision at home.
Only one in four Americans approves of the US strikes on Iran. About half—including one in four Republicans—believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
We asked readers of The Keystone newsletter (subscribe here) how they felt about the US attack on Iran. Read their responses below.
(Answers have been edited for length and clarity):
“As a conservative Republican—not aligned with the MAGA movement—I support President Trump’s decision to strike Iran, viewing it as a clear embodiment of ‘peace through strength.’ While Trump campaigned on avoiding new wars and prioritizing America first, this targeted mission could ultimately advance those goals by deterring aggression and fostering long-term stability. That said, I remain deeply skittish about escalation; I hope for a swift, decisive end without US boots on the ground. Neither I nor the nation has any appetite for another prolonged conflict.”
— Dave, Erie
“I think the only reason Trump is attacking Iran is because he was empowered by his dirty deed in Venezuela, and so he continues. I am livid that he started what will probably be another ‘forever war.’ Congress needs to rein him in immediately.”
— Anita McG, Kingston
“Trump lit yet another match igniting a powder keg that will blow up the entire Middle East region. He starts the fire and will take credit for putting it out.”
— Paul Devine, Blue Bell
“Killing an evil dictator and weakening a terrorist state, is met with applause even in Iran. However, war opens Pandora’s box. No one can predict how much destruction and loss of innocent life will result. To begin a war—even with the most noble intentions—before honest explanation to citizens, lacking serious consultation with elected representatives and allies—to open that dangerous box jeopardizes our own democracy and world order. I sincerely hope the decision turns out right, that the opportunity for lasting peace is real, but the process lacks consensus fitting the moment’s seriousness. The lessons of history are not promising.”
— Steve, Woxall
“All done to acquire their oil. We are being lied to. Just like Venezuela. Now we will be able to control it. Now my money will go to those countries to ‘rebuild’ instead of investing in America. I’m ashamed to be American right now. This isn’t the place I grew up in.”
— Ian K., Pittsburgh
“Another distraction from his great fear: to release all information related to the Epstein Files. Donald Trump is willing to defy congress and order our hardworking troops into battle with, in my opinion, little concern for anything but his own coffers. If he’s so bent on doing what is right Barron Trump should enlist.”
— Viv, State College
“The ‘peace’ president has stirred chaos worldwide. We had no immediate threat from Iran. Now American lives will be in danger. This is nothing but a senseless show of power. We are becoming the world’s bully.”
— Dave, Brookhaven
“We are just sowing the seeds for the next 9/11. Some 5-year-old will avenge his father’s death and strike back 20 years from now.”
— Jack Doyle, Media
“I see no reason for this attack, and I see no good coming from it. To me, this appears to be Trump’s way of helping out his Middle Eastern friends so that he can get kickbacks from them for his family’s projects there. Americans will see no benefit, only the needless deaths of members of our Armed Forces, frayed relationships with allies, and more tax dollars going to fund pointless military operations.”
— Danielle S., Butler
“I fully support it. The Iranian regime has killed many Americans and our allies since 1979, as well as thousands of its own citizens, either directly or through its proxy terrorist groups.”
— Craig Brown, Marietta
“This attack helps Israel, and I am glad the US supports this tiny nation. I hope our attack on Iran does free their people; they have lived under oppression for too long.”
— Lynn, Warrington
“Everything Trump says is either false or misleading. Aren’t his supporters getting tired of this? I am. Remember he said we were going to annex Canada? He got bored with that so now let’s take over Greenland. Moving on, he didn’t like the leadership in Venezuela, so let’s kidnap the leader and his wife and the US is going to run the country. Now it’s the Middle East. No, we should not be involved. Who’s next?”
—Sandy L., Lester
“No one individual should have the power to commit our nation to a war against another sovereign nation, no matter how evil their government is. The issue isn’t how evil another nation’s government is, it is how civil our nation’s government is. There are plenty of nations with evil governments. What are we going to do, bomb all of them? Then what? These decisions need to be made by all of our representatives, not just one leader that represents less than half of the nation.”
— Doug Graham, Lansdale
“I agree with Sen. Fetterman. President Trump did what was necessary to prevent Iran from attacking our military bases which would have caused more loss of life. The Ayatollah Khomieni was calling for death to America. President Trump eliminated the most evil man in the world and all his possible successors. He obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities. President Trump did what he felt was right for America.”
— Maria, Cheltenham
“I am opposed to the president entering our troops into war without congressional approval.”
— Dennis H., Wernersville
“I fully support this effort and am certain this will make the world a better place. Anyone that doesn’t support this is on the wrong side of history in my opinion. Peace through strength.”
— Kristie, Lansdale
“These wars have got to stop. President Trump is out of control. I think he did this to make a distraction so he doesn’t have to face the information in the Epstein files.”
— Anisa B., Pennsylvania
“I believe this war is wrong. The idiot started this war without the approval of Congress and will only escalate the problems that already exist in the Middle East.”
— Donna, Harrisburg
“I feel we’ve learned nothing from Iraq and Afghanistan, nothing from Venezuela. In Venezuela, Maduro’s people remain in power. In Afghanistan, the Taliban runs things. Iraq has yet to recover from that war. I have zero confidence in Trump to make sensible decisions.”
— Gary, Annville
“It’s his latest gift to billionaires and a distraction from the Epstein files. Brave men are dying because of the pedo in chief.”
— Lisa, Luzerne County
“Sadly and unfortunately, this is another lie he has sold his followers! He has absolutely NO IDEA what he’s doing. Our military will pay the price for his incompetence and utter stupidity!! God help us and have mercy on our country. IMPEACH, REMOVE IMMEDIATELY.”
— Nanette, Bethlehem
“I think it should have been done sooner but better now than in another 47 years.”
— Karla, Philadelphia
“Starting a war with Iran is unbelievably stupid. It will be unwinnable. It will destabilize the entire region. It will cause higher prices for everything. Think about it. There is no scenario in which we come out ahead.”
— Alan, Northampton County
“It is a continuation of the total detachment and incomprehension of our so-called’ President. The only purpose of this is to distract (the media) from unreleased Epstein files and continuing efforts to disrupt the 2026 elections, by Trump and the DOJ. There is no goal here. Just chaos throughout the Middle East and Iran. The concept of Iranian citizens just walking off the street and taking over the government is laughable. One member of our armed forces perishing is one too many.”
— Jim, Lower Paxton
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
