President Donald Trump has hailed the preliminary peace agreement between the United States and Iran as “very popular,” pointing to a poll showing majority support even as renewed violence and disputes over the Strait of Hormuz threaten the deal.
A Quantus Insights survey of 1,000 likely voters, conducted June 16-17, found that 56% approved of the agreement, including 43% who strongly approved. Thirteen percent disapproved, while the remainder were neutral or unsure.
The interim accord calls for an end to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions. Trump promoted the findings on Truth Social while criticizing Democrats and the news media.
But the agreement remains tenuous. Iran said Saturday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to alleged ceasefire violations after Israel continued strikes in southern Lebanon. Iran’s military described the closure as a “first step” and warned vessels to stay away.
US Central Command did not acknowledge an effective closure, saying 55 merchant ships had transited the strait Saturday carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. It said US forces remained present to ensure compliance with the agreement.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Washington must ensure Israel abides by the memorandum of understanding. He said Iran was prepared to proceed “step by step” if the other side demonstrated equal seriousness.
Although Israel was not a direct party to the US-Iran agreement, Tehran considers continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon a breach because the deal calls for fighting to end across the region.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people Saturday, according to Lebanese authorities, following attacks Friday that Lebanon’s Health Ministry said killed 83. Israel said it was responding after Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles toward Israeli troops. Hezbollah denied violating the ceasefire and accused Israel of trying to sabotage the US-Iran accord.
The violence has complicated negotiations over a final settlement. Talks initially scheduled for Friday in Switzerland were postponed. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were working there Saturday on technical issues, while Vice President JD Vance said discussions were progressing.
Technical-level talks involving US and Iranian representatives and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan were expected Sunday. Iran said its delegation would press for the other side to meet its obligations before negotiations on a final agreement begin.
Major issues remain unresolved, particularly Iran’s nuclear program. US intelligence assessments also indicate Israel is likely to continue operations against Hezbollah, potentially undermining the ceasefire.
The agreement therefore retains substantial public backing but remains vulnerable to regional fighting, political divisions and conflicting interpretations of its terms. Its survival may depend on whether Washington can restrain Israel, Iran keeps Hormuz open and negotiators turn the preliminary accord into an enforceable settlement.
