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During a week filled with escalating tensions between major Middle Eastern powers Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump has emphasized a crucial message.
“IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Trump stated on social media.
Addressing reporters in the Oval Office, Trump reiterated, “I’ve been saying for over 20 years that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.”
This perspective has been shared by U.S. presidents for the past several decades, and it seems a majority of Americans resonate with both Trump and past presidents regarding the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS VIEW IRAN AS A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO U.S. SECURITY
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office, Washington, D.C., on June 18, 2025, regarding the potential for a military strike on Iran. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
According to a recent Fox News national survey, nearly 73% of registered voters believe that Iran poses a genuine security threat to the United States. This marks a 13-point increase since the same question was asked six years ago.
The poll, conducted from June 13-16, shows considerable agreement across party lines: 82% of Republicans, 69% of Democrats, and 62% of Independents perceive Iran as a threat.
Additionally, 78% of respondents expressed strong concerns about Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, with 80% believing that events in the Middle East directly affect the U.S.
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Daron Shaw, a seasoned GOP pollster and Republican partner on the Fox News poll, mentioned, “The growing perception of Iran as a threat reflects the current events surrounding this poll.”
“The poll was conducted while images of Iranian missiles striking Tel Aviv were widely broadcast. The immediate urgency of the conflict likely influences voters’ assessments of risk,” Shaw, who also teaches politics and chairs at the University of Texas, explained.
A substantial plume of smoke and flames rises from an oil refinery in southern Tehran after reports of an Israeli strike on June 15, 2025. (ATTA KENARE/AFP)
A similar sentiment regarding Iran’s threat was found in a national survey by the Ronald Reagan Institute earlier this month, prior to the recent escalation triggered by Israel’s attacks.
In that survey, 84% of respondents indicated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons is crucial for U.S. security and prosperity.
FOX NEWS LIVE UPDATES ON THE ISRAEL-IRAN ESCALATION
Trump is considering whether the U.S. should collaborate with Israel to target Iran’s nuclear program, aiming to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.
“President Trump rarely receives a political opportunity of this nature. His backing of Israel’s actions against Iran and the potential decision to strike the Fordow facility could significantly benefit him politically,” said political expert Wayne Lesperance.
Lesperance, who leads New England College, added that “If the President articulates his reasoning effectively, polling indicates he would garner support from his party, Democrats, and Independents. Furthermore, any action against Iran would overshadow unrelated issues like immigration and the budget in the short term. Politically, a decisive move against Iran seems beneficial.”
However, he cautioned that “this assumes the actions are successful and that Americans are willing to deal with the fallout from potential repercussions regarding a nuclear-armed Iran.”
Contributions from Fox News’ Dana Blanton and Victoria Balara were included in this report.
