A majority of Republicans oppose President Donald Trump sending U.S. ground troops into Iran, even as most in the party support broader U.S. military action against the country, according to a new poll.
Polling on American military action can directly influence future Congressional and executive actions. Americans largely backed diplomatic actions in Iran before the strikes, with polls indicating few supported initiating attacks. But a number of polls have shown more support—though not a majority—in the days following the action. Polls have consistently shown that Americans do not back a move to put ground troops in the region.
Republicans have largely backed Trump's military action in Iran, but there have been divisions among some Make America Great Again base who emphasize an "America First" platform. The war comes as many Republican lawmakers are gearing up for midterm elections and hoping to maintain majorities in the House and Senate.
On Monday, Trump told The New York Post he is "nowhere near," sending troops to Iran to over reported discussions to secure nuclear material in Isfahan, Iran. When asked about the possibility of a war draft and troops on the ground, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, "President Trump wisely does not remove options off of the table."
Most voters in the Quinnipiac University national poll of 1,002 people do not support U.S. military action against Iran. Democrats and independents overwhelmingly oppose the action, with 89 percent of Democrats against the strikes and 7 percent supporting the move, while 60 percent of independents oppose it and 31 percent support it.
Republicans, however, largely back the U.S. military action against Iran, with 85 percent in support and 11 percent opposed.
The poll found a broader, bipartisan opposition to military action involving U.S. ground troops, with 74 percent of voters opposed and 20 percent in support.
Among party lines, 52 percent of Republicans are opposed to sending U.S. troops to Iran, while 37 percent back such a move. Nearly all Democrats oppose the measure, 95 percent, with 3 percent supporting it. Three-quarters of independents would oppose the move, 75 percent, compared to 19 percent who support it.
The poll was conducted between March 6 and March 8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
The war, which started on February 28, has resulted in mass casualties. The Iranian government says at least 1,255 people have been killed in the coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes, including the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Lebanese government has said at least 400 people have died from Israeli strikes on the country. The Pentagon has confirmed seven U.S. service members have died in the conflict.
Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac University polling analyst, said in the poll: "Voters are unenthusiastic about the air attack on Iran and there is overwhelming opposition to putting American troops on Iranian soil to fight a ground war."
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, said on Fox Business' Mornings with Maria: "I think high oil prices will be a problem. I think the 2026 elections, already we are behind the 8 ball as far the electoral process. I think if you add in high gas prices, high oil prices, and if we are still bombing Iran with kinetic action, people don't want to call it war, if there is still kinetic action that causes oil to be over $100, I think you are going to see a disastrous election."
President Donald Trump said on Monday that Vice President JD Vance was "philosophically a little bit different than me" at the onset of the war in Iran and was "maybe less enthusiastic about going."
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said last week: "They [Iran] declared war on us...We're not at war right now. We're four days into a very specific, clear mission -- an operation."
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and frequent critic of Trump, said in an X post on Tuesday: "I'm saddened to hear that the seventh U.S. military casualty was a brave Kentuckian. My prayers are with all the families of the American service members who have died in the war with Iran, and I am praying for a full recovery of those who have been seriously injured."