A new poll by the Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago shows that nearly half of U.S. adults are highly concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, while only about 30% express strong confidence in President Donald Trump’s judgment on military intervention.

Key Findings of the Poll

48–50% of Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions
61% consider Iran an enemy of the United States
Only ~30% express high confidence in Trump’s military decision-making

The survey was conducted from February 19–23 among 1,133 adults, with a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.

Context: U.S.–Iran Nuclear Tensions

The poll comes as the U.S. and Iran prepare for nuclear discussions in Geneva.

Background factors include:

Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal
U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict in June
Ongoing disputes over uranium enrichment

The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that Iran is enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels, heightening global concerns.

Public Opinion on Trump’s Military Judgment

While concern about Iran cuts across party lines:

Republicans show higher anxiety (56%)
Democrats show comparatively lower concern (44%)

However, trust in Trump’s handling of military matters remains limited overall.

Notably:

Younger Republicans show more skepticism
Older Republicans express stronger confidence

This suggests a generational divide within party ranks.

Generational Differences on Iran

Around 70% of Americans aged 45+ view Iran as an enemy
Only about 50% of Americans under 45 share that view

Older Americans also tend to show higher levels of concern about nuclear risks.

Why This Matters

The poll reveals a complex public mood:

Strong concern about Iran’s nuclear program
Simultaneous hesitation about military escalation
Divisions across age and party lines

As diplomatic talks resume, public opinion may influence the political space for negotiation versus confrontation.

Key Entities

Associated Press – Co-conducted the poll
NORC at the University of Chicago – Research partner
Donald Trump – Evaluated in poll on military judgment
International Atomic Energy Agency – Reported on Iran’s uranium enrichment

Final Verdict

The AP-NORC poll highlights a dual reality in American public opinion: widespread concern about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but limited trust in President Trump’s military judgment. As nuclear discussions unfold, U.S. policymakers will have to balance public anxiety over security threats with caution toward military escalation.