Iran War Poll Shows Most Americans Expect Trump to Deploy Ground Troops While Majority Oppose It
A Reuters/Ipsos poll (March 17–19) finds nearly two‑thirds of Americans expect President Trump to send U.S. ground troops into the Iran war even though 55% oppose sending ground forces (7% back a large‑scale operation, 34% a limited special‑forces incursion) and just 37% approve of the fighting versus 59% who disapprove, with stark partisan splits; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to rule out ground forces and Trump said March 19 he was “not putting troops anywhere” but would not disclose plans. Analysts also say the war — which has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz and helped push oil prices up more than 40% — is raising trans‑Pacific shipping and last‑mile delivery costs that are expected to quickly trickle down to retailers and consumers.
📌 Key Facts
- A Reuters/Ipsos national poll conducted March 17–19, 2026 finds nearly two‑thirds of Americans believe President Trump will send U.S. ground troops into the war with Iran.
- The poll shows 55% of Americans oppose sending ground troops; 7% support a large‑scale ground operation and 34% support a limited special‑forces incursion.
- Overall, 37% of Americans approve of the fighting with Iran while 59% disapprove, with a sharp partisan split: 77% of Republicans support the operation versus 6% of Democrats and 28% of independents.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined to rule out deploying ground forces; President Trump said on March 19, 2026 he is "not putting troops anywhere" but added that if he were, he would not say so.
- CBS reports oil prices have risen by more than 40% since the Iran war effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.
- CBS says those higher oil prices have increased costs for trans‑Pacific cargo shipping and last‑mile delivery vans and are expected to "quickly trickle down" to retailers and consumers, affecting both in‑store and online prices.
📊 Relevant Data
Native American households experience a median energy burden of 4.2%, higher than the 2.8% for White households and the national average of 3.1%. Native Americans constitute about 2% of the US population (alone) or 3% including those identifying as Native in combination with other races.
Low-Income, Minority Households Have High Energy Cost Burdens, Report Finds — Electric Cooperative
86% of low- and moderate-income Native American households have high energy burdens, meaning they pay at least 6% of their income on energy.
December Map of the Month — Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Black households bear an additional annual energy expenditure of $120 compared to other groups with similar socio-economic backgrounds, totaling $1.6 billion nationally, primarily driven by greater needs for space heating.
Racial disparities in the energy burden beyond socio-economic inequality — Energy Economics
Increased oil price uncertainty raises unemployment rates, with the effect twice as large for Black and Hispanic workers compared to White workers; the average drag on total unemployment is 13 basis points, but 35 during high uncertainty episodes.
Racial and ethnic disparities in unemployment and oil price uncertainty — Energy Economics
Asian American households face energy burdens closer to the national average of 3.2%, slightly lower than Latinx households and significantly lower than African American households, even when accounting for income.
National study finds energy bills hit minority households the hardest — Binghamton University
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Reuters/Ipsos national poll conducted March 17–19 finds nearly two‑thirds of Americans believe President Trump will send U.S. ground troops into the war with Iran.
- The same poll shows 55% of Americans oppose sending ground troops, with only 7% supporting a large‑scale ground operation and 34% backing a limited special‑forces incursion.
- Overall, 37% of Americans approve of the fighting with Iran while 59% disapprove, with a sharp partisan split: 77% of Republicans support the operation versus 6% of Democrats and 28% of independents.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly declined to rule out ground forces, while Trump said on March 19, 2026 that he is "not putting troops anywhere" but added that if he were, he would not say so.
- CBS pegs the oil-price increase at more than 40% since the Iran war effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.
- The piece explicitly connects higher oil prices to increased costs for both trans-Pacific cargo shipping and last‑mile delivery vans serving U.S. households.
- It highlights that these higher transport costs are expected to "quickly trickle down" to retailers and consumers, affecting both in‑store and online shopping prices.