‘Not our war’: Global fury as 81% oppose Iran conflict involvement while fuel prices soar and economies slide

Nadine Osman

A sweeping global survey has revealed a dramatic collapse in public support for involvement of US and Israel in the Iran conflict, as rising fuel costs and economic uncertainty reshape attitudes across 31 countries.

The Ipsos Global Advisor report, released on April 28 and based on interviews with more than 22,000 adults, shows that as the war enters its third month, the initial surge of national solidarity has faded and reversed. Populations are increasingly prioritising economic stability over military objectives.

Across the countries surveyed, an average of 81% say their nation should avoid involvement in the conflict, with 48% strongly agreeing. Only 19% disagree, underlining the scale of global opposition to intervention. In 30 of the 31 countries included, a majority supports non-involvement. Israel is the sole outlier, where 58% back military action and 43% favour staying out, indicating a clear domestic divide.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
Your country should avoid getting involved militarily in the current conflict in the Middle East

In the US, where the conflict has had direct political and economic repercussions, 71% of respondents say the country should avoid involvement, rising to 79% among those aged 18 to 34. Despite broad opposition, there are sharp internal divisions: 91% of Democrats and 67% of independents oppose the strikes, compared with 76% of Republicans who still support them, although that support is beginning to soften as economic pressures increase.

Public sentiment has shifted largely due to the conflict’s economic fallout, particularly disruptions to global energy supplies around the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. This has led to a sharp drop in global consumer confidence, with the Ipsos index falling 2.7 points to 46.7 in April, one of the largest monthly declines on record. The expectations index fell a further 3.6 points, signalling worsening outlooks.

In the US, 54% of respondents say the conflict has already negatively affected their personal finances, while petrol prices have risen by around 40% since late February to an average of $4.18 per gallon. Only 24% say the military action has been “worth it”, compared with 51% who believe it has not.

The economic impact has been particularly severe in the Asia-Pacific region, where five of the six largest global declines in consumer confidence were recorded. Thailand experienced the steepest fall, at 10.9 points, followed by Malaysia at 6.1 points and South Korea at 5.1 points. In several major economies, including France, Japan and Türkiye, confidence levels have fallen below the 40-point threshold, a level historically associated with heightened risks of recession and social instability.

Small businesses are also under increasing strain. The Ipsos Small Business Index shows a shift in concerns from weak demand to rising input costs, particularly energy and shipping. The share of business owners who feel “very comfortable” with their cash flow has fallen for two consecutive quarters, with many now delaying hiring and investment as costs continue to rise.

The report also highlights a shift in global views on leadership and influence. In 27 of the 29 countries tracked since last autumn, fewer people now believe the US will have a positive impact on world affairs over the next decade. In the US, 59% of respondents still see their country as a positive global force, down sharply from levels that had not fallen below 76% before 2025.

At the same time, perceptions of China have improved, with 50% of respondents globally saying they expect China to have a positive impact on the world, compared with 39% for the US. This marks the first time China has overtaken the US in this measure in the Ipsos tracking series, reflecting a broader shift in global sentiment. The survey also finds that Israel and Iran are now viewed equally in terms of their perceived global impact, with 26% of respondents saying each country will have a positive influence, indicating a notable convergence in international opinion towards the two principal actors in the conflict.

In the UK, concern over the domestic impact of the war is especially strong. The survey shows 86% of Britons are worried about fuel and energy prices, and 80% about fuel availability.

This has driven support for intervention, with 77% backing petrol price caps and 68% supporting the cancellation of fuel duty increases. Just over half (51%) would support a shift to working from home to reduce fuel use. Meanwhile, disapproval of US and Israeli strikes has risen from 56% in March to 65% in April.

Expectations for the conflict’s duration remain largely pessimistic. Across 31 countries, 33% believe it will last until 2027 or beyond, while 31% expect it to continue into late 2026. A further 26% think it will end within three months, and just 10% expect it to be over within a month.

 In Canada, pessimism is higher, with 76% expecting it to last into next year or longer. In Israel, sentiment is more optimistic, with 40% expecting it to end within a month and another 40% within three months.

In the US, the prolonged nature of the conflict has contributed to a growing preference for a rapid exit. The survey shows that 66% of Americans believe the country should end its involvement quickly, even if it fails to achieve its strategic objectives, compared with just 27% who believe it should remain engaged until those goals are met.

Support for deploying large-scale ground forces remains minimal at 7%, while 55% oppose any troop presence inside Iran, although 34% indicate some support for limited special forces operations.

The political impact of these shifts is already evident. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 34%, driven largely by concerns over the cost of living and his handling of the conflict. Independent voters are now favouring the opposition by a 14-point margin ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, highlighting the growing influence of economic and foreign policy issues on voter behaviour.

Overall, the Ipsos findings point to a clear shift in global opinion, with economic pressures now outweighing strategic considerations in shaping attitudes towards the conflict. As energy prices rise, consumer confidence falls and business costs increase, public tolerance for prolonged military engagement appears to be declining, putting greater pressure on governments to seek a resolution.