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Jun 18, 20261
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Global Survey: 90% Say Iran War Exposes Declining US Influence

A CGTN global survey of 9,849 respondents found that 90.8% believe the US failed to achieve strategic objectives in its three-month military operation against Iran, exposing America's declining global influence. The conflict caused significant economic disruption, eroded confidence in US strategic guarantees among allies, and undermined the international rules-based order.



Quick Facts
Who
United States
What
US-Israeli military operation against Iran
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Strait of Hormuz
- US-Israeli military operation against Iran
- US and Iran reach memorandum of understanding
- Military operation winds down
- CGTN global online survey conducted
- Gasoline prices rose
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.
Why This Matters
This survey reveals a critical inflection point in perceptions of US global power. For investors, policymakers, and international relations professionals, the data signals growing skepticism about American military interventionism and alliance commitments—potentially reshaping geopolitical risk assessments and trade relationships. The 90%+ consensus on US strategic failure in Iran suggests a fundamental shift in how the world evaluates American reliability and competence, with direct implications for future US diplomatic leverage and the stability of multilateral institutions.
Timeline & Sources
Apr 19, 2026
WirePhoto dated of US flag above White House in Washington, DC
Jun 18, 2026
WireCGTN releases global online survey with 9,849 respondents; US-Israeli military operation against Iran shows signs of winding down; US and Iran reach memorandum of understanding