Two weeks after the most recent ceasefire fell apart, President Donald Trump’s approach to the Iran war is still meeting deep public doubt, weighing on his approval rating and leaving many Americans unconvinced that the conflict is close to ending.
A new exclusive Daily Mail/JL Partners poll finds that just 32 percent of voters approve of Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. Meanwhile, 49 percent say the President was wrong to order military action, a decision that has led to the deaths of 18 US service members and left more than 100 others wounded.
Trump’s overall approval rating now sits at 44 percent, a modest drop from 47 percent in mid-June, when a framework for a peace deal was announced.
The public also remains divided, and largely resistant, over the initial decision to use force. Only 36 percent of Americans support US military action in Iran, while 41 percent oppose it.
Support has also slipped among Trump’s own voters. Sixty percent now say the intervention was the right call, down four points from June, while 21 percent say it was the wrong decision.
Voters are equally pessimistic about the path ahead. A combined 58 percent either believe it will take more than a year to reach an agreement, at 26 percent, or say they are unsure how long the war will continue, at 32 percent.
Only 5 percent expect a deal within the next month, while just 18 percent think an agreement can be reached within three months.
When asked who bears responsibility for the renewed escalation, voters are more likely to point to President Trump, at 32 percent, than to the Iranian government, at 19 percent.
Support for further military escalation remains limited. Voters only narrowly back US strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants intended to pressure Tehran into negotiations, with 38 percent supporting such attacks and 34 percent opposing them.
An explosion at an unknown location during the latest US strikes on Iran
Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, was killed in action while serving in the US Army on July 17
The poll surveyed over 1,000 registered voters between July 17-20.
On July 17, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two American service members were killed in action in Jordan while US and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.
CENTCOM also reported that another service member was missing in action and that four personnel were medically evacuated but later released from care.
The political pressure on the White House has intensified following the deaths of additional US service members, bringing the total to 17 killed since the war started.
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The New York Times has reported that the Pentagon failed to publicly disclose dozens of U.S. troop injuries following earlier Iranian strikes in Jordan until much later, fueling accusations that military leaders downplayed the true human cost of the attacks and were not fully transparent with the public.
The Pentagon has forcefully rejected any suggestion of a cover-up. Officials, including spokesperson Sean Parnell, insist casualty figures were reported through established channels and say the vast majority of the nearly 100 injured service members suffered minor concussions.
According to the Pentagon, roughly 96 percent have since returned to active duty.
President Trump responded by warning Iran that any further deaths of American troops would bring severe retaliation.’
Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over!’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
‘This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the military.’ Trump also paid tribute to the fallen troops, calling them ‘great patriots.’
The conflict itself has continued to intensify. The United States has expanded its air campaign with additional strikes against targets inside Iran following the deaths of the American service members.
CENTCOM said US forces continued operations against Iranian military capabilities, including missile and drone-related infrastructure, while Iranian forces continued retaliatory missile and drone attacks against US-associated targets across the region.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts remain active. Mediators including Pakistan and Qatar have reportedly proposed a 10-day ceasefire to create space for renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran, although no agreement has been announced and fighting continues.
Smoke rises from an explosion at an unknown location during US strikes on Iran
1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, was killed in action July 18 during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 8
In Iran, officials have described the situation as a ‘full-scale war,’ with authorities warning of mounting damage to infrastructure and worsening conditions for civilians. Reports from southern Iran indicate power and water outages, shortages of essential goods, and growing economic pressure as the conflict continues.
The US, however, has disputed Tehran’s portrayal of the conflict, saying its military operations are focused on targeting Iranian military capabilities and protecting US forces and allies rather than deliberately harming civilians.
