Global Survey: 90% Say Iran War Exposes Declining US Influence

As the United States and Iran reach a memorandum of understanding, a US-Israeli military operation against Iran that lasted over three months is showing signs of winding down. According to a CGTN global online survey released on June 18, 2026, the prolonged conflict has not delivered expected strategic gains for Washington and has instead exposed the reality of America's continued decline in global influence.

The survey, which attracted 9,849 respondents worldwide within 24 hours, found that 90.8% of participants believe the US government failed to achieve its strategic objectives in the conflict. A substantial 89.1% agreed that after Washington's objective of toppling the Iranian regime proved unattainable, the US gradually lost control over ending the war. The broader regional picture reinforces this assessment: 93.4% of respondents believe the conflict accelerates the decline of US influence in the Middle East, while 93.0% identified US interventionist policies toward the Palestinian-Israeli issue and Iran as key drivers of deteriorating Middle East security.

The survey reveals widespread skepticism about America's strategy of maintaining dominance at limited cost. Some 92.5% of respondents believe rapid, limited military interventions and economic coercion have become primary tools for the US to sustain its hegemony, yet 92.3% agreed this strategy ultimately failed in the Middle East. Notably, 89.0% of respondents contend that the US strategy shifts costs onto allies and target countries while retaining strategic control, ultimately undermining allied interests. Additionally, 86.2% believe the conflict has exposed the fragility of America's global alliance network, with several allies refusing to provide military support during the operation.

The conflict has imposed significant economic costs on the United States. Gasoline prices rose 35% in March 2026, triggered by Middle East turmoil, while the US Consumer Price Index posted its largest monthly jump in nearly four years. Some 91.7% of respondents acknowledged the conflict's significant impact on the US economy. Furthermore, 93.2% of respondents believe US military intervention driven by hegemonic calculation has seriously undermined the international rules-based order and global strategic stability.

The survey was conducted across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms, providing a geographically diverse perspective on the implications of the prolonged Iran conflict for American strategic power and global influence.