Washington, United States. A Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Thursday found 65% of Americans believe President Donald Trump will order troops into a large-scale ground war in Iran, while 7% support the idea. The poll showed Trump’s broader public standing largely unchanged at 40%.
Poll findings and methodology
The three-day poll found Trump’s approval at 40%, up 1 percentage point from a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the hours after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. The poll surveyed 1,545 U.S. adults nationwide and had a margin of error of about 3 percentage points.
Reported deployment discussions and Trump’s comments
Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration has mulled deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East. Reuters reported the possible deployments could use air and naval forces to secure safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, or could involve deploying U.S. troops to Iran’s shoreline.
Reuters also reported the Trump administration has discussed options to send ground forces to Iran’s Kharg Island, described as the hub for 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
On Thursday, Trump said he was “not putting troops anywhere,” when asked by a reporter about his plans, adding, “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”
Casualties and economic impact
More than 2,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran nearly three weeks ago and Iran launched strikes in response, according to the report. The dead include 13 U.S. service members.
Tit-for-tat strikes on energy plants across the Middle East have sent energy prices sharply higher, weighing on stock markets and raising concerns of a resurgence in inflation in the U.S. economy since the COVID pandemic.
Political context and reactions within MAGA movement
Trump returned to the White House last year after promising to tame inflation and prevent the military from getting stuck in a foreign conflict, and has actively campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize. The report said he began this year by launching military strikes on Venezuela, capturing its leader in a lightning overnight strike.
The report said the Iran conflict has proved more complex, with Tehran striking back across the region and disrupting energy supplies.
Some prominent voices within Trump’s MAGA movement have denounced the war, warning it could hurt Republicans in November’s midterm elections when they will defend their majorities in the U.S. Congress.
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