Most Americans want Congress to end Iran war, Reuters reports

Seventy-one percent of Americans want Congress to legislate an end to the US war with Iran, Reuters reported on November 10, citing a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday after Democrats won control of both congressional chambers.

Support crossed party lines: 93% of Democratic respondents and 51% of Republicans backed such legislation. The result puts Republican support just above half, while Democrats were much more strongly in favour, according to the survey.

The nationwide survey questioned 1,705 US adults online over four days. Reuters reported an overall error margin of approximately two percentage points.

Reuters described the Democrats' victories in the previous week's midterm elections as giving them their biggest majorities in both chambers since at least 2008. The incoming Congress is due to take office on January 3.

Democratic leaders have promised to tackle living costs and seek to force an end to US participation in the Iran war, Reuters reported. Many Democrats have also committed to reversing President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Economic concerns featured prominently in the poll. Nine out of every 10 respondents wanted Congress to make living costs a priority during its opening 100 days, while 62% favoured removing tariffs introduced by the Trump administration.

Reuters linked the war to steep fuel-price increases, saying these had added to inflationary pressure from tariffs. It reported that Trump began the war together with Israel in February.

Trump has argued that military action was needed to stop Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, according to Reuters.

The survey also asked about cooperation and impeachment. Reuters said substantial majorities of both parties wanted Trump and Democratic congressional leaders to seek ways to work together.

On a possible congressional effort to impeach Trump, 42% thought it would harm the country and 33% thought it would benefit it. Others were uncertain or gave no answer. The poll put approval of Trump's performance at 32%.

Neither party received a favourable assessment from a majority of respondents. Democrats drew favourable views from 45% and unfavourable views from 51%; the corresponding figures for Republicans were 35% and 60%, Reuters reported.