02 March 2026
Dr Derek Bolton, U.S. domestic and foreign policy expert, assesses the public reaction to President Trump’s decision to strike Iran.
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Dr Derek Bolton, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Reading, said: “Operationally, Trump’s attack against Iran has gone about as well as he could have hoped. Top Iranian leaders including Ayatollah ali Khamenei were killed from the outset, U.S. forces and regional allies have managed to intercept most of Iran’s retaliatory missiles and drones, and there has been limited loss of life to U.S. personnel.
“Yet early polling indicates most Americans do not support the attacks, with the further loss of life and expansion of conflict likely to increase opposition.
“For now, a slim majority of Republican voters seem to be rallying around Trump, and it is unlikely the U.S. Congress will successfully pass a War Powers Resolution at this time.
“Events are still rapidly unfolding, however, and Trump’s domestic position is already precarious, largely due to the stuttering American economy. The President’s standing could quickly become unstable should the conflict become too costly in the eyes of more Americans.”
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