A significant majority of Americans doubt that a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran will result in lasting peace, and many believe the conflict was not worth the expenditure, according to recent polls. Only 18% of Americans surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos believe the MOU will deliver lasting peace, with 63% expressing skepticism.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which surveyed 2,519 American adults from June 17 to 19, also revealed that 57% believe the war with Iran created more problems than it solved. Conversely, 21% held the opinion that the war resolved more issues than it created.
When assessing the preliminary agreement, perceptions are divided. Just 22% of Americans feel the deal benefits the U.S. more than Iran. A larger proportion, 37%, believe it favors Iran, while 41% see it as equitable for both nations.
Furthermore, the sentiment regarding the war's cost is overwhelmingly negative. A substantial 69% of respondents indicated that the war was not worth the associated costs, with only 31% believing it was justified.
William Figueroa, an assistant professor of international relations at the University of Groningen, commented on the outcomes, noting that while Iran's internal political instability and economic challenges make it difficult to define the war as an Iranian victory, it is equally challenging to view it as a success for the U.S. Figueroa suggested that most of the policy shifts away from pre-war stances have occurred on the American side.