Quinnipiac Poll: 70% of U.S. Voters Oppose Military Strike on Iran
A new Quinnipiac University poll taken Jan. 9–12, 2026 finds 70% of U.S. voters oppose the United States taking military action in Iran in response to the regime’s killing of protesters, while just 18% favor a strike, even as President Donald Trump openly weighs bombing Iranian targets. Opposition cuts across party lines, with 80% of independents, 79% of Democrats and 53% of Republicans saying the U.S. should not get militarily involved if demonstrators are killed. The same survey shows 70% of voters believe presidents should obtain congressional approval before using military force abroad, including 95% of Democrats and 78% of independents, while a 54–35% majority of Republicans say such approval is not necessary. The findings come as rights groups estimate thousands of deaths in Iran’s nationwide protests and as Trump uses social media and TV interviews to urge Iranians to "KEEP PROTESTING" and warn Tehran of "very strong action" if it executes demonstrators. The data underscore a broad public reluctance to see another U.S. intervention in the Middle East and strong support, outside the GOP base, for reasserting congressional war‑powers limits on the presidency.
📌 Key Facts
- Quinnipiac poll of U.S. voters conducted Jan. 9–12, 2026 finds 70% say the U.S. should not take military action in Iran and 18% say it should.
- Opposition to a strike includes 80% of independents, 79% of Democrats and 53% of Republicans.
- Seventy percent of voters say a president should obtain congressional approval before using military force in another country; Republicans split 54% saying it is not needed vs. 35% saying it is.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, the unemployment rate for women in Iran was 14.2%, more than double that of men at 6.5%, with the jobless rate for young women nearing 35%.
Youth Employment Crisis: Jobless Rate for Young Women Nears 35% — WNCRI
Iran's youth unemployment rate stood at 22.75% in 2024.
Youth unemployment rate in Iran 1991-2024 — Statista
Iran scored 23 out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 151 out of 180 countries.
Iran Corruption Index — Trading Economics
U.S. sanctions have contributed to Iran's economic crisis, including inflation and currency depreciation, which have fueled the 2025-2026 protests.
“State of Siege”: Iran Protest Death Toll Rises to 2,000 After U.S. Sanctions Spawn Economic Crisis — Democracy Now!
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