Voters split on whether Iran strikes were necessary: Survey

A new survey found that Americans are split on whether U.S. strikes on Iran were necessary, as the Middle Eastern conflict enters its third day.

The Morning Consult poll, released late Saturday night, found that 41 percent of registered voters said that “Operation Epic Fury” was necessary. A slightly greater amount, 42 percent, preferred diplomacy. 

The U.S. launched the operation in tandem with Israel early Saturday, after President Trump was dissatisfied with negotiations between the two sides, mediated by Oman, on Iranian nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile development. U.S. Central Command said that as of 7:30 a.m. EST Monday, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. 

Trump said Sunday that there would likely be more American casualties in the conflict, which has so far resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — along with other political and military officials in the country.

“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen,” the president said in a video on his Truth Social platform. “And sadly, there will be likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is.

As Congress returns to work this week, a majority of Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a vote in both chambers on war powers resolutions to halt the U.S. operation from continuing without congressional approval.

Over half of respondents to the Morning Consult poll, including 21 percent of Republicans, said that Trump should have sought congressional approval before taking action against Iran. Meanwhile, 34 percent said the president was correct to act without the approval of the legislative branch, and 15 percent did not know or had no opinion.

Trump administration officials briefed the so-called Gang of Eight prior to the operation starting last week, according to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will brief the group on Monday, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill.

Then on Tuesday, Rubio, Ratcliffe, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will brief all members of the House and Senate, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson told The Hill. 

The Morning Consult poll was conducted on Saturday with 1,618 registered voters. It has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

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