While a significant portion of Americans feels that the United States has emerged victorious in its conflict with Iran, a majority question whether the war was justified in the first place.

As key figures such as Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner prepare to sit down with Iranian leaders in Islamabad, Pakistan, this Saturday, there is a sense of triumph regarding the US’s position after two months of hostilities. However, this confidence is tempered by concerns over the conflict’s overall worth.

The military operation, which spanned six weeks, is reported to have cost American taxpayers an estimated $35 billion, according to figures from the American Enterprise Institute. This extensive campaign saw more than 13,000 targets attacked within Iran, with over 10,000 flight missions conducted, including sorties by 62 bombers, and involved a deployment of 50,000 personnel.

A recent survey by Daily Mail/JL Partners, which polled over 1,000 registered voters, indicates that about one-third, or 33 percent, of respondents view President Donald Trump’s actions against the Islamic Republic as a clear triumph. However, 13 percent perceive it as a victory for Iran, 24 percent believe the conflict ended in a stalemate, and 30 percent remain undecided about the outcome.

The latest Daily Mail/JL Partners survey of over 1,000 registered voters found that a third – 33 percent – believe President Donald Trump’s war against the Islamic Republic has been a resounding victory.

Just 13 percent called it a victory for Iran, while a quarter, 24 percent, said the conflict was a draw, and 30 percent remain unsure. 

Surprisingly, just over half of Trump voters – 58 percent – say the war was a victory despite MAGA allies publicly slamming the operation.

Trump himself has repeatedly claimed victory: ‘You never like to say too early you won. We won. In the first hour it was over.’ 

But after a ceasefire deal was struck late Tuesday, there have been reported bombings across the Middle East after the fact, putting the temporary two-week armistice on shaky ground as the American delegation enters talks with their Iranian counterparts.  

However, American voters were much more pessimistic about whether the war was a worthwhile endeavor. 

When asked if the war was worth fighting, the most popular answer was ‘definitely not.’ 

Half of the respondents – 50 percent – said the war was either probably or definitely not worth it. On the other hand, 38 percent said that the war is worth fighting. 

In addition, nearly half of respondents – 49 percent – believe that Trump has fallen short of his objectives in the military campaign, and the outcome is not a clear success. 

Conversely, 30 percent said Trump has achieved his desired outcome; just 52 percent of the President’s supporters say the Republican has gotten what he wanted. 

Despite the President’s repeated claim that the US has obliterated Iran’s nuclear program, just 5 percent of respondents said they believe all the capabilities are destroyed.  

A similar result was found when asking about another central claim the President and his team have said; only 6 percent think Iran’s non-nuclear missile capabilities are destroyed. 

The price tag on the six-week offensive is estimated to be around $35 billion, according to the American Enterprise Institute. 

Keeping the US war machine running while tens of thousands of troops are stationed on the other side of the globe is a costly logistical game with staggering numbers. 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine noted that American troops have consumed a mind-numbing amount of caffeine and nicotine as they keep pressure on the regime. 

‘Along the way, we consumed more than 6 million meals, and by my estimate, more than 950,000 gallons of coffee, 2 million energy drinks, and a lot of nicotine, but I am not saying that we have a problem,’ he said at a press conference this week. 

The Trump administration has already circulated a request for an additional $200 billion for the Pentagon. 

Though that number may come down, officials have reportedly said.