57% Favor U.S. Military Action Against Iran’s Nukes

Voters are overwhelmingly concerned about Iran’s nuclear weapons program, and a majority would support an American military strike to end the threat.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 77% of Likely U.S. Voters are concerned that Iran may be developing a nuclear weapon, including 44% who are Very Concerned. Only 18% are not concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

While negotiating with Iran over the issue, President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program if a deal isn’t reached Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters would support military action by the United States to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program, including 28% who would Strongly Support it. Thirty percent (30%) would oppose a U.S. strike against Iran, including 17% who Strongly Oppose such military action. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

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The survey of 1,107 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 19-21, 2025 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Twenty-six percent (26%) of voters believe that, in his dealings with Iran, has Trump been too aggressive, but the same number – 26% – say he hasn’t been aggressive enough. Thirty-three percent (33%) think Trump’s response to Iran has been about right, and 15% are not sure.

Among voters who say Trump has not been aggressive enough in his dealings with Iran, 65% would support U.S. military action to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Majorities of every political category – 81% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats and 68% of voters not affiliated with either major party – are at least somewhat concerned that Iran may be developing a nuclear weapon.

Seventy-three percent (73%) of Republicans, 50% of Democrats and 48% of unaffiliated voters would support the United States taking military action against Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of Republicans, 20% of Democrats and 32% of unaffiliated voters think that in his dealings with Iran, Trump’s respons has been about right. Democrats are more likely to believe Trump has been too aggressive in dealing with Iran.

There is almost no “gender gap” in terms of concern about Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but significantly more men (65%) than women voters (50%) would support a U.S. military strike to end the nuclear threat from Iran.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of whites, 56% of black voters, 57% of Hispanics and 73% of other minorities would support military action by the United States to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Voters 65 and older are more likely to be Very Concerned that Iran may be developing a nuclear weapon. Voters in their 40s are most likely to favor U.S. military action against Iran.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of those who voted for Trump in last year’s election would support a U.S. strike to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program, compared to 42% of Kamala Harris voters.

About two-thirds of voters believe the recent fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers should be viewed as an act of terrorism.

The recent announcement that former President Joe Biden has advanced prostate cancer has many voters suspecting a cover-up. 

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

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