A Pew Research Center poll conducted from September 28 to October 4, 2026 found that roughly half of Americans expect the Iran war that began on February 28 to continue for more than another year

Escalating conflict between Iran, the US, and regional powers centered on Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, military strikes across the Gulf, NATO's response, and broader diplomatic and economic fallout including sanctions, cyber warfare, and the Israel-Lebanon front. The maritime confrontation between the United States and Iran expanded alongside Iranian missile attacks elsewhere in the region. Iran said it targeted ten vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States denied that its warships were hit. Jordan said it intercepted 18 of 20 Iranian missiles directed towards a U.S. base, with the remaining two landing in unpopulated areas without reported casualties.