The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to deep divisions among voters, especially following Israel’s military actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities. There’s a broad consensus that Iran poses a threat to national security, with 73% of registered voters expressing concerns—a noticeable uptick of 13 points in the last six years.
Daron Shaw, a Republican pollster, along with Democrat Chris Anderson, notes that public perception of Iran’s threat is shaped by current events. He argues that the imagery of Iranian missile threats and the immediate nature of the conflict significantly influence voter sentiment.
A majority of voters, including 69% of Democrats, 82% of Republicans, and 62% of independents, acknowledge the real risks posed by Iran. These figures have seen increases since 2019, with the numbers for Democrats, Republicans, and independents rising by 12, 17, and 4 points, respectively.
This recent surge in concern coincides with President Trump’s call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and Israel’s military actions against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Support for these strikes is largely partisan. About 73% of Republicans favor the strikes, compared to only 32% of Democrats and independents.
Voter opinions reflect a mix of worry and skepticism. While many believe that airstrikes might endanger security—59% expressing that these actions could lead to a more perilous global situation—concerns about Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons are also prominent. Roughly 80% express significant worry about Iran’s nuclear program, an increase from 66% in 2010.
Despite the concerns about Iran, many voters prioritize other issues. When asked to rank various concerns, Iran’s nuclear program fell to a mid-level ranking, with issues like the future of the US (85% concerned), inflation (84%), and government spending (80%) taking precedence. Concerns over anti-Semitism and illegal immigration were also noted, but they didn’t rank as high.
Generally, there’s a strong belief that Middle Eastern events are crucial for life in the US, with 81% affirming their importance. Nevertheless, support for military aid to Israel has slightly decreased. Currently, 53% of voters back financial assistance, down from a peak of 60% in late 2023 following a significant attack.
In the wake of these tensions, Trump recently left the G7 Summit early, highlighting the urgency of the Middle Eastern situation. His foreign policy approval ratings have remained relatively steady, hovering around 42% approval, with a net negative of 15% from disapproval ratings. On various other issues, his approval rates vary: 40% regarding economic performance and 53% concerning border security.
Trump maintains a stable personal approval rating at 45%, performing marginally better than some administration figures. In comparison, Democratic leaders like Kamala Harris (49% preferred) and Joe Biden (43%) also reflect similar approval rates.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Interestingly, the Ukraine conflict is perceived to be less urgent compared to the Middle Eastern issues, with 72% of voters deeming it extremely important, down from 81% last October. Support for sending aid to Ukraine remains consistent at around 56%, while aid to both Ukraine and Israel receives varying levels of partisan support. For instance, 70% of Democrats favor helping Ukraine, whereas 71% of Republicans support assistance to Israel.
The Fox News survey conducted in June 2025 included responses from 1,003 registered voters, providing a margin of error of ±3 percentage points. The methodology involved interviews via landline and mobile, as well as online surveys.
