Fox News Poll: Majority of Voters Doubt Trump's Strategy on Iran Conflict

<p>A Fox News national survey conducted from September 11-14, 2026, indicates that a significant portion of voters believe the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the ongoing war with Iran. The poll shows that 71% of voters feel this way, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans.</p><p>The survey also reveals that 47% of voters believe the conflict will make the U.S. less safe in the long term, an increase from 39% in April. In contrast, 32% think it will make the country safer, while 20% perceive no difference. Concerns about safety are notably higher among White voters, voters under 45, and independents.</p><p>Furthermore, 60% of respondents believe that U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, compared to 37% who support it. This represents a widening margin of 23 points, up from 17 points in June. The shift in opinion against the war has been observed across various demographic groups, particularly among Hispanic voters, voters under 30, moderates, and those aged 65 and older.</p><p>Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll alongside Democrat Chris Anderson, noted that public sentiment typically rallies around the president during foreign policy crises. However, he pointed out that President Trump has not consistently made a strong case for the war and that U.S. forces are not directly engaged on the ground, which may influence public opinion.</p><p>Trump's overall job approval rating stands at 39%, with 61% disapproving. His approval rating on foreign policy is at a low of 37%, which is just one point above his first-term low of 36% recorded in September 2019.</p><p>When asked about the most pressing issue facing the country, only 4% of voters mentioned Iran, while 1% cited foreign policy in general. In contrast, 34% identified the cost of living as the top issue.</p><p>Additionally, a 10-point margin now favors Democrats over Republicans regarding foreign policy, a reversal from the previous midterm cycle when Republicans were trusted more by 6 points in September 2022.</p><p>Regarding the conflict in Gaza, 48% of voters expressed more support for Israel compared to 38% for Palestinians, a decrease from 54% in June and a high of 68% at the conflict's onset in October 2023. Support for Israel has notably declined among women, Hispanic voters, voters under 45, college-educated voters, and Democrats, while Republican support has decreased by 10 points.</p><p>On the issue of Ukraine, 55% of voters support continued U.S. financial aid to combat Russia, with 39% opposing it. This support level has remained relatively stable over the past two years, with Democrats generally in favor and Republicans and independents divided.</p><p>As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for a visit to the U.S., 45% of voters believe Trump is not tough enough on China, while 20% feel he is too tough. About 30% think his approach is appropriate. This sentiment is shared across party lines, with the largest proportions of Democrats (44%), Republicans (47%), and independents (44%) indicating that Trump is not tough enough on China.</p><p>The poll was conducted by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R) and included interviews with a sample of 1,211 registered voters. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is ±3 percentage points.</p>