Reuters/Ipsos Data: Perceptions of Iran (05/22/2019)

Washington, D.C. - With tensions escalating between Washington, D.C. and Tehran, Reuters/Ipsos surveyed Americans on their perceptions of Iran and the prospect of military conflict. The poll found that half of Americans (52%) believe that it is likely America will go to war with Iran in the next few years. This is an eight-point increase from a similar poll conducted in June 2018. A similar number of Americans view Iran as a significant or imminent threat (53%). The same poll found that 51 percent of Americans view Russia as a threat, but only 22 percent say it is somewhat or very likely that America will go to war with Russia in the next few years. One in ten Americans (12%) believe America should pre-emptively attack Iran’s military interests. But, if Iran were to attack the U.S. first, Americans agree that a military response would be warranted (79%) but are split on the amount of force to use; 40 percent would call for a limited military response with airstrikes, and 39 percent would call for a full military response with airstrikes and a ground invasion. Fifteen percent didn’t know. When it came to evaluating Donald Trump’s handling of Iran, 39 percent of Americans approve, 49 percent disapprove, and 12 percent don’t know.

The full Reuters’ story can be found here.

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between May 17-20, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 1,007 Americans, including 869 registered voters, 350 Democrat registered voters, 289 Republican registered voters, and 181 independent registered voters ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all adults, 3.8 percentage points for registered voters, 6.0 percentage points for Democrat registered voters, 6.6 percentage points for Republican registered voters, and 8.3 percentage points for independent registered voters. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

Annaleise Azevedo Lohr
Senior Account Manager, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
[email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,749.5 million in 2018.