Three quarters of Britons concerned about fuel price increases, as Israel / Iran conflict continues

New polling data from Ipsos in the UK reveals three quarters of Britons are concerned about the impact of the current conflict between Israel and Iran on fuel prices. The survey, conducted between June 20th-23rd, 2025 (with the large majority of fieldwork completed before the US strikes on Iran on the 22nd), also finds that the public is most supportive of the UK Government taking a mediation role and using diplomacy with both sides to try to de-escalate the situation.

Key findings 

• High level of concern: Nearly four in five British adults (79%) express concern about the impact of the Israel-Iran conflict on regional stability in the Middle East. Around three quarters are also concerned about its impact on the price of fuel/energy (75%), the UK economy (74%), and UK national safety and security (73%).

• Government response: Three in ten (30%) believe the UK government has done a bad job responding to the conflict. 18% say it has done a good job, while a third (33%) say neither.
• Neutral mediator: Two in five British adults (40%) think the UK should act as a neutral mediator in the conflict. 27% believe the UK should not be involved at all. Only 11% think the UK should support Israel, and a mere 5% favour supporting Iran.
• Responsibility for the conflict: Around half of Britons believe each of the Israeli government (54%) and the Iranian government (49%) bear a great deal of responsibility for the current conflict. Other actors identified as having a great deal of responsibility include Hamas (26%), the United States (24%), and Hezbollah (22%), while 20% don’t know.  When combining those who only chose one option at this question with those who chose two or more and were asked a follow-up, “who do you think is most responsible?”, a third of Britons (33%) say they don’t know if only choosing one actor (28% say the Israeli government, 18% the Iranian government).

• Support for diplomacy: Two-thirds (66%) of Britons support the UK government using diplomacy with Israel, Iran, and other countries to de-escalate the situation.
• Other actions: Other potential UK government actions garner varying levels of support:
  • Maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel: 45% support, 15% oppose
  • Suspending all UK arms exports to Israel: 43% support, 21% oppose
  • Maintaining diplomatic ties with Iran: 41% support, 14% oppose
  • Implementing stricter economic sanctions against Iran: 36% support, 15% oppose
  • Implementing strict economic sanctions against Israel: 34% support, 21% oppose
  • Giving permission for the US to use British military bases if the US decides to attack Iran: 20% support, 47% oppose
  • Britain sending jet airplanes to help defend Israel against Iran: 17% support, 50% oppose
  • Britain sending weapons to help Israel fight Iran: 17% support, 51% oppose

Commenting on the findings, Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK Politics at Ipsos said:

These figures emphasise the high level of anxiety among the British public regarding the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Britons are worried about its impact across a number of fronts: on fuel and energy prices, the domestic economy and national security at home, and also extending more broadly to issues of regional stability in the Middle East and the impact on civilians on both sides. The public is clearly cautious about direct military involvement, preferring diplomatic solutions and a neutral stance for the UK. It's also notable that the public apportion significant responsibility to both the Israeli and Iranian governments for the current situation, suggesting they believe the conflict arises from complex roots.

Technical note: 

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1141 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Polling was conducted online between the 20th to 23rd of June 2025.  
• Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.