Most Americans Say Iran War Wasn't Worth It

Americans aren't exactly sold on President Trump's Iran war. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds just 24% of adults say the conflict was worth the price in money, lives, equipment, and the energy crunch triggered by the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Half say it wasn't worth it, while the rest were unsure. The five-day national survey of 1,262 people closed Monday and lands as the Pentagon has reportedly told senators it needs about $80 billion to cover war costs, on top of a record $1.5 trillion White House request for overall defense spending, the Hill reports.

Public skepticism extends to the June 17 agreement between Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which reopened the key shipping lane in exchange for eased sanctions. Some 63% of respondents doubt the deal will produce lasting peace; only 18% think it will hold. More Americans say the US is now weaker rather than stronger in relation to Iran, 35% to 23%, with the others unsure or believing there has been little change. The war also appears to have dragged down Trump's popularity, Reuters notes. It put his approval rating at just 34%, matching the second-term low reached in April.