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A majority of Americans believe recent US military action against Iran has gone too far, even as concerns grow over rising fuel costs, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research.The survey, conducted in the fourth week of the conflict involving the US and Israel, suggests the war could increasingly weigh on President Donald Trump politically, despite his overall approval ratings remaining largely unchanged.Around 59 per cent of respondents said US military action in Iran has been excessive, even as the administration continues to deploy additional warships and troops to the Middle East.At the same time, economic anxiety appears to be intensifying.
About 45 per cent of Americans said they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about being able to afford gasoline in the coming months—up from 30 per cent recorded in a similar poll conducted shortly after Trump’s reelection victory.The findings point to a complex public mood. While roughly two-thirds of respondents said preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon should be an “extremely” or “very” important foreign policy objective, an equal share emphasised the importance of keeping domestic oil and gas prices in check—highlighting a policy balancing act for the White House.
Trump’s overall approval rating remains steady at about 40 per cent, with his foreign policy ratings slightly lower but largely unchanged. However, the poll indicates persistent scepticism about his handling of military decisions abroad, with most Americans opposing further escalation, including the deployment of ground forces.The poll surveyed 1,150 adults between March 19 and 23 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.The president has not clearly outlined his next steps on Iran, at times signalling openness to diplomacy even as tensions escalate. Although, US will reportedly send 2000 paratroopers to the Middle East. The Pentagon has ordered around 2,000 troops from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to deploy to the Middle East, giving President Donald Trump additional military options as he weighs diplomacy with Iran, officials said. The troops, part of the division’s rapid-response force, join about 4,500 Marines already heading to the region, taking total reinforcements to nearly 7,000. While their exact destination is unclear, the deployment signals escalation, with forces potentially positioned within striking range of Iran, including near key sites such as Kharg Island.
