Most would see an Iranian nuclear weapon as a serious threat but also voice concern about a wider war.
As the public assesses the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, at least three things are in play.
One, there’s a largely bipartisan view that any Iranian nuclear weapon would pose a threat to the U.S. Second, there are bipartisan concerns that the U.S. could get involved in a wider war with Iran. And third, there are differing perceptions of just how effective those strikes will ultimately prove to be.
Amid that, it is Republicans, including MAGA Republicans, who overwhelmingly back the airstrikes, and they comprise the bulk of those who do. For the rest of the public, however — and netting out to a majority overall — there is disapproval of those airstrikes and still-greater concern about a potential wider war.
Going forward, the nation divides over whether it has confidence in the Trump administration’s handling of the situation (here again, Republicans do, others do not) and on whether the strikes will actually make it less likely Iran develops a weapon.
Then, as Congress returns to session, a sizable two-thirds of the country say President Trump does need congressional authorization to conduct military action against Iran.
