Poll shows only quarter of Americans support US attacks on Iran that killed leader

A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that only 27% of Americans support US military attacks on Iran that resulted in the death of Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while 43% oppose and 29% are undecided.

The survey, conducted amid US and Israeli strikes on over 1,000 Iranian military targets, found 56% of respondents believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force to advance US interests. This view is held by 87% of Democrats. Among Trump supporters, 42% said their support for the operations would decrease if they led to US military casualties in the Middle East. The first US military fatalities in the conflict have been confirmed.

Reactions to Khamenei's death varied. Iranian-American Congresswoman Yasmin Ansari called him a "symbol of evil," stating his death provides relief but military action alone will not dismantle Iran's repressive regime and could endanger US troops. Senator Bernie Sanders described the US and Israeli actions as "illegal and in violation of international law," calling for Congress to approve war powers legislation. Senator Lindsey Graham and others praised Trump, calling it a major foreign policy achievement. Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's former shah, said Khamenei has been "erased from the pages of history" and the regime that ousted his father will soon follow. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters there would be no mourning for Khamenei.

Separately, Trump delivered a record 108-minute speech to Congress, surpassing his previous 100-minute address and former President Bill Clinton's marks of 89 and 85 minutes. He touted US achievements, addressed Iran's nuclear ambitions while preferring diplomacy, highlighted increased Venezuelan oil exports to the US and the death of a major Mexican drug trafficker, criticized Democrats and undocumented immigrants, and called for new voter ID laws ahead of midterm elections.