--- title: "The Iran War is the most unpopular war ever" description: "The Iran War was unpopular from the start, but wars don't get more popular as time goes on, and the end this conflict is nowhere in sight." date: "2026-07-23" modified: "2026-07-23" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-news/iran-war-most-unpopular-war-ever/" categories: - "Military News" tags: - "Afghanistan" - "Iran" - "Iraq War" - "Military History" - "Vietnam War" --- # The Iran War is the most unpopular war ever ![iran war unpopular trump dignified transfer getty]() *President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth salute during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base July 22, 2026. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) .* The Iran War isn't just unpopular. From the start, it had the lowest support among Americans of any war in U.S. history—and wars do not get more popular as time goes on. Indeed, for most conflicts, public support is strongest during the initial outbreak of hostilities. But even by that metric, the Iran War is still the most unpopular. **Also Read: [The F-35 made historic air-to-air kills against Iran]()** In six months of conflict, the United States has suffered [fewer than 20 troops]() killed in action, with potentially hundreds more wounded (the exact number [isn't currently clear)]() and billions in equipment losses—a low number, especially compared to other American wars. But that's clearly not something most people take into consideration, according to the numbers. Support for the Iran War has been underwater from the jump, something altogether unique in the history of American conflicts. ### No Rally Around the Flag Historically, American wars begin with a honeymoon period. In 2001, 88% of Americans [supported military action]() in Afghanistan. Despite opposition to the Invasion of Iraq in 2003, once U.S. troops were on the ground, the war enjoyed support [from 72% of Americans](). Even the Vietnam War, deeply unpopular by the time it ended, [had 61% of Americans]() behind it. The Iran War didn't get a honeymoon; most of America would have preferred to leave it at the altar. The Vietnam War was able to hit most Americans where they lived. Daily losses were broadcast into homes via television for the first time. Draft lotteries pulled scores of civilians into uniform every year. It wasn't long before half the country thought the U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia was a mistake. In January 1968, the Tet Offensive shattered the government's credibility. For Iraq, it [took about 16 months]() for the public to turn. In Afghanistan, support remained high for about 10 years. Memories of 9/11 kept support alive for the decade, and the Iraq War was drawing most of the public's ire. It wasn't until 2011 that [most of the U.S. public favored pulling out]() of Afghanistan, hastened by the killing of Osama bin Laden. Only [44% of the country]() supported the war against Iran, compared to [58% in support]() of Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Support and opposition for both was deeply divided along partisan lines, but as the Iran War drags on, the partisan lines have begun to blur—at least as far as the Iran War and its unpopularity is concerned. ### Emphasis on America It's no surprise that 91% of Democratic voters disapproved of the handling of the Iran War [in the latest Ipsos poll](). What might concern Republicans is that 80% of independents also disapproved. Although the majority of Republican voters still support military action in Iran, the [latest Politico poll]() found that support among President Donald Trump's MAGA base is slipping. ![Iran War unpopular participation trophy getty]() *An Iran War Participation Trophy dedicated to President Donald Trump in Washington, DC on July 13, 2026. The plaques invited visitors to leave more participation trophies for the president. (Washington Post via Getty Images)* Support from MAGA fell 13 points in the last two months, with one in five MAGA voters saying the U.S. needs to end the war immediately, no matter how much it cost. [A Washington Post/Ipsos poll]() found support from non-MAGA Republicans is even worse: net approval ratings on the president's handling of the war fell from +26% in April to -25% now. Polls don't mean much to the troops fighting any war, even an unpopular one, but it makes a huge difference to those who plan and lead one. ### The Price of Unpopularity Estimates say the Iran War costs roughly [$2 billion per day](). The Department of Defense says it [cost $37.5 billion]() so far, and asked for another $67 billion to continue the operation. This comes at a time when Americans are [already feeling the cost of rising prices](). Many believe that money is better spent elsewhere and that the war will only [make the "affordability crisis" worse](). To top it all off, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed as the price of oil jumped to above $90 a barrel. At the pump, it translates to more than $4.00 per gallon, some of the highest prices since the COVID 19 pandemic. And there's no end in sight. The worst part, and likely the biggest reason for the Iran War being so unpopular, is that [Americans don't know why]() the U.S. is fighting Iran at all. **Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty** **• [Aviation nerds are mourning Iran’s F-14 Tomcats]()** **• [The US is using Iran’s own ‘one-way’ suicide drone against Iran]()** **• [How this Air Force veteran allegedly spied for Iran]()** ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()