If there’s one message former President Donald Trump keeps pounding home this week amid the rising chaos in the Middle East, it’s this: Iran must never be allowed to get its hands on a nuclear weapon.
In classic Trump fashion, the statement was all caps and all business:
“IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” he wrote on social media, echoing a stance he's repeated for decades.
Sitting in the Oval Office with reporters earlier this week, Trump didn’t pull any punches.
“I’ve been saying it for 20 years—maybe longer,” he declared. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
That view isn't unique to Trump. In fact, it’s one of the few areas where there's surprising unity among Americans—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. A fresh Fox News national poll conducted between June 13 and 16 found that nearly three-quarters of registered voters (73%) believe Iran poses a real security threat to the U.S. That number is up 13 points since the last time Fox asked the same question six years ago.
Here’s what’s even more telling:
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82% of Republicans agree Iran is a threat
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69% of Democrats agree
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62% of Independents agree
Now that’s a rare moment of political harmony.
So what’s fueling this renewed concern? According to Daron Shaw, a longtime Republican pollster and professor at the University of Texas, the timing of the poll played a big role.
“This survey was conducted while images of Iranian missiles raining down on Tel Aviv were plastered all over TV and social media,” Shaw explained. “The visuals gave the situation a sense of urgency and reality for voters.”
But it’s not just about visuals—this fear goes deep. A whopping 78% of respondents said they’re either “very” or “extremely” worried about Iran getting a nuclear bomb. And nearly eight in ten also believe that events in the Middle East genuinely matter to everyday life in the United States.
Another poll by the Ronald Reagan Institute, conducted even before Israel launched its first retaliatory strikes last week, echoed similar results. According to that survey, 84% of Americans agree that stopping Iran from obtaining nukes is critical to U.S. security and prosperity.
Clearly, this isn’t just a Middle East problem—it’s personal for Americans.
With tensions flaring and missiles flying back and forth between Iran and Israel, Trump now faces a strategic fork in the road: Should the U.S. join Israel in a preemptive strike to knock out Iran’s nuclear capabilities? Specifically, should America help Israel target Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, one of the most fortified underground enrichment sites in the country?
Political scientist Wayne Lesperance thinks this could be Trump’s political jackpot.
“President Trump rarely gets such a clear political win handed to him,” said Lesperance, who also serves as president of New England College. “If he sides with Israel and takes bold action to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, the data shows he could win support across party lines.”
In Lesperance’s eyes, this move could reshape the political landscape.
“A strong, successful strike would dominate headlines. It would overshadow debates on immigration, the budget, tariffs—you name it. It would reframe Trump as the decisive leader standing up to one of America’s most dangerous enemies.”
But it’s not all sunshine and smooth sailing. Lesperance cautioned that there are two major assumptions baked into this political gamble:
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The attacks have to succeed. If the mission falls flat or causes massive civilian casualties, it could backfire big time.
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Americans need to be willing to deal with the backlash. That includes possible terrorist retaliation, oil price surges, or even cyberattacks.
No pressure, right?
Historically, stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions has been a bipartisan cornerstone of American foreign policy. Presidents going back to George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and even Joe Biden have all emphasized the same mantra: Iran with nukes is a red line.
But what makes this moment different is the explosive backdrop—quite literally. This past week has seen daily attacks exchanged between Israel and Iran, with each side escalating beyond the usual war of words. Israeli defense forces have launched precision strikes on Iranian military outposts, and Iran has responded with a barrage of missiles aimed at Israeli cities.
It’s the kind of real-world conflict that turns long-held political stances into urgent national conversations.
Trump, known for his unpredictability on the global stage, now has a decision to make. Go big and join the fight? Or wait and see how far Israel takes this on its own? According to political insiders, he’s still weighing options—but the pressure is mounting fast.
And let’s not forget: Trump has long painted himself as the man who stands firm where others flinch. Whether it was ordering the strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 or pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, he’s got a history of bold, controversial moves when it comes to Tehran.
If he chooses action this time around, it’ll be right in line with his previous playbook—but with even higher stakes.
Here’s what’s at play:
🧨 Tensions in the Middle East are on fire.
🗳️ Trump’s political base—and beyond—is watching closely.
📊 Polls show Americans are deeply concerned about Iran and support strong action.
💣 The risk of Iran going nuclear feels more real than ever.
Whether Trump opts to pull the trigger or not, one thing is crystal clear: The Iran nuclear issue has rocketed back to the forefront of American consciousness. And with bipartisan support already on the table, this may be one of the rare geopolitical moments that unites, not divides, the country.
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