By Ariana Zaman
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, a growing majority of Americans fear the United States is heading into a prolonged war with Iran, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The survey, released Tuesday, shows that 56% of Americans believe the conflict will turn into a long-term military engagement, while six in ten say President Donald Trump lacks a clear strategy for handling the crisis.
The war entered its fourth day amid intensifying U.S.-Israeli strikes across Iran. Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that American military operations could continue for up to five weeks — but added he is “prepared to go far longer than that.”
The joint U.S.-Israeli operation on February 28 resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with more than 40 senior Iranian officials. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected claims that the attacks were part of a “regime-change war,” stating, “But the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it.”
Despite that assertion, public opinion appears divided. The CNN/SSRS poll found that 56% of Americans oppose efforts to overthrow Iran’s government, and six in ten oppose deploying U.S. ground troops for a full-scale assault.
Meanwhile, the human toll continues to rise. Six U.S. service members have been killed in Iranian attacks in Kuwait, with 18 others seriously wounded. Inside Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent reports at least 787 fatalities as of Tuesday morning.
The conflict’s reach expanded further when the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by Iranian drone attacks. No casualties were reported. The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia has issued a shelter-in-place order for Riyadh and restricted non-essential travel to military facilities.
The U.S. State Department has also urged Americans to immediately leave 14 Middle Eastern countries, citing “serious safety risks” linked to Iranian retaliation.
The CNN/SSRS survey, conducted February 28–March 1 among 1,004 respondents, included 28% Democrats, 28% Republicans, and 44% independents or other affiliations, reflecting a politically diverse sample.
As uncertainty grows, the question facing Washington — and the American public — is whether this conflict marks a brief military campaign or the beginning of a deeper, more enduring war.
