German poll: Majority see Iran strikes as unjustified, trust in US hits historic low

A majority of Germans consider the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran unjustified, and trust in the United States as a partner has fallen to historic lows, according to a new poll by public broadcaster ARD. The survey, conducted by Infratest dimap from March 2–4 with over 1,300 respondents representative of the German population, reveals deepening skepticism toward Washington's actions and growing anxiety about global instability.

Public opinion on the strikes

The poll found that 58% of Germans view the US-Israeli attack on Iran as unjustified, compared with only 25% who believe it was warranted. Additionally, 75% of respondents expressed concern that the conflict could spread to other countries, reflecting widespread unease about the expanding regional war that has now killed more than 1,000 people in Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and drawn in Gulf states and Lebanon.

Trust in US plummets

Trust in the United States continued its steep decline, with 78% of Germans saying the US cannot be trusted as a partner. Only 15% view America as reliable—the lowest figure recorded in 20 years of polling. Israel fared similarly, with just 17% of Germans considering it a trustworthy partner. The figures represent a dramatic erosion of confidence in traditional Western allies amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

Global anxiety rises

The study revealed broader anxieties, with Germans increasingly viewing the global political landscape as threatening. 77% of respondents described the current world situation as threatening or very threatening—a sentiment shared across supporters of all parties represented in parliament. In world politics, 85% of Germans believe that "the law of the strongest" is increasingly taking precedence over international law, a 4% increase since January. Additionally, 80% expressed concern that the Iran conflict could severely disrupt international trade, including oil supplies, and have negative consequences for the German economy.

Shifting perceptions

The poll results come as Germany has maintained distance from the US-Israeli campaign, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declaring Thursday that Berlin is "not participating in this war" and ruling out support for regime change measures. The survey suggests German public opinion aligns closely with the government's cautious stance, reflecting broader European unease with the trajectory of the conflict and its potential global repercussions.