CBS News poll finds few see U.S. goals being met in Iran yet

Politics Few see U.S. goals being met in Iran yet; Americans voice worry and stress in CBS News poll By Anthony Salvanto Anthony Salvanto CBS News Director of Elections and Surveys Anthony Salvanto, Ph.D., is CBS News' executive director of elections and surveys. He oversees the CBS News Poll and all surveys across topics and heads the CBS News Decision Desk that estimates outcomes on election nights Read Full Bio Anthony Salvanto Updated on: April 12, 2026 / 9:01 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Amid talks and a ceasefire, the Iran war looks like unfinished business to many Americans.  That's because there are things they call important for the U.S. to do — including opening the Strait of Hormuz for oil access, ensuring the Iranian people are free and permanently stopping Iran's nuclear programs — that they don't feel have been done yet. So, in describing their feelings about the conflict of late, Americans pick worry, stress and anger far more than feeling safe or confident.  Big and bipartisan majorities feel it's important for the U.S. to do these things: But huge majorities say either that they aren't done, or it's too soon to know, including for some of those top items. Amid talks, a majority also expresses what they don't want to happen — that it would be unacceptable to leave the current Iranian regime in place — and also unacceptable to allow a nuclear program under international supervision. In summary, most Americans continue to say the conflict is not going well. That view hasn't improved in recent weeks. And in a similar vein, if it were to end now, relatively few call the war a success so far, either in terms of military objectives or U.S. strategic interests. For many, it's too soon to say — another indication that they aren't seeing the goals met yet. President Trump And there's uncertainty in part because most don't think President Trump has a clear plan for it all. That said, most Republicans think he...