Trump's Iran war message not landing with Americans, poll shows

Two out of three Americans think President Donald Trump has not clearly explained why the country has gone ​to war with Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on ​Monday that also showed his approval rating ticking up ⁠from the lowest level of his term.

The four-day poll revealed ​deep concerns about surging gasoline prices, and also suggested many voters ​are casting blame for their troubles on Trump's Republican allies who will be defending their congressional majorities in the November midterm elections.

More than two months into ​a conflict that began February 28 with a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, ​some 66% of poll respondents - including one in three Republicans and almost all ‌Democrats - ⁠said Trump has not "clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran."

Some 63% of the country says their household's personal financial situation has taken a hit from recent gas price increases, ​up from 55% ​in a Reuters/Ipsos ⁠poll conducted March 17-19.

Some 36% of Americans approve of Trump's performance, up two percentage points since ​a late April Reuters/Ipsos poll showed his approval ​rating at ⁠34%, which was the lowest level of Trump's current term in office.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll had a 3-percentage point margin of error in ⁠either ​direction based on the number of people ​surveyed. The poll, conducted online and nationwide, gathered responses from 1,254 U.S. adults.—Reuters