Public Opinion Outlook On The Middle East Conflict
Since the onset of the military campaign launched by the USA and Israel against the Iranian regime on February 28, 2026, and the subsequent de-escalation following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire on April 8, 2026, experts and analysts around the world have been attempting to assess the impact of the conflict on the economies of both the Middle East and globally.
The recent study carried out by Omniki.Survey sought to measure the extent to which people living in Middle Eastern countries directly involved in the conflict, as well as in countries sharing a border with or located in close proximity to Iran, have been impacted by the recent developments.
The recent study carried out by Omniki.Survey sought to measure the extent to which people living in Middle Eastern countries directly involved in the conflict, as well as in countries sharing a border with or located in close proximity to Iran, have been impacted by the recent developments.
Countries Participating in the Study: Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, India, and Pakistan.
Social Media As The Preferred Source To Stay Informed
With the exception of Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq, surveyed countries identified social media as the preferred source for staying informed about the conflict. In Turkey (49.9%), Jordan (46.2%), and Iraq (40.7%), respondents instead rely primarily on television.
It is possible the study findings reflect the global trend which started when countries across the world went into lockdown amidst COVID-19 pandemic outbreak — people’s trust in mainstream media has been in decline since then. In the context of the US–Israel–Iran conflict, the study indicates growing reliance on social media platforms, many of which host independent journalists who are not formally affiliated with state-owned media organisations.
Publics From The Gulf States Express Greater Sentiment For Iran
When asked directly which side’s position they felt closer to, nearly half of those polled in the UAE — a country that has always been aligned with the USA and Israel in seeing the Islamic regime in Iran as a regional and global security threat — stated that neither side was closer to them (45.8%).
A similarly high proportion of respondents in Saudi Arabia (45.6%) — home to Islam’s two holiest sites and regarded as a leading power in the Arab world — as well as in Kuwait, where public discussion of ties with Israel remains politically sensitive, also chose neither side.
A comparable, though less pronounced, trend was observed across other Gulf states: Oman (27.7%) and Qatar (26.8%).
However, when contrasting those who said they felt closer to Iran with those who believed the USA and Israel were in the right, a stronger pro-Iranian sentiment could be observed across all Gulf states, with Oman (30%) and Qatar (26%) leading the way.
A similarly high proportion of respondents in Saudi Arabia (45.6%) — home to Islam’s two holiest sites and regarded as a leading power in the Arab world — as well as in Kuwait, where public discussion of ties with Israel remains politically sensitive, also chose neither side.
A comparable, though less pronounced, trend was observed across other Gulf states: Oman (27.7%) and Qatar (26.8%).
However, when contrasting those who said they felt closer to Iran with those who believed the USA and Israel were in the right, a stronger pro-Iranian sentiment could be observed across all Gulf states, with Oman (30%) and Qatar (26%) leading the way.
Majority Believe Israel Is Responsible For Recent Escalation
In 11 out of 13 surveyed countries, the majority place the blame for the current escalation on Israel. The figures were particularly high in Egypt (55.1%), Armenia (54.1%), Turkey (51.2%), Qatar (46.1%), Pakistan (45.9%), and Kuwait (44.4%). In these countries, nearly half of respondents viewed Israel as primarily responsible for the escalation of relations between Iran and the West into armed conflict.
Several possibles explanations can hold true here. The first is the factual one — it was the USA and Israel who, in breach of the international law, preemptively launched a military campaign against Iran, while widely-publicised diplomatic negotiations were underway.
Second, the findings may reflect the global shift in how common people have come to perceive Israel’s retaliatory action against Gaza in the aftermath of October’s 7th, 2023.
Several possibles explanations can hold true here. The first is the factual one — it was the USA and Israel who, in breach of the international law, preemptively launched a military campaign against Iran, while widely-publicised diplomatic negotiations were underway.
Second, the findings may reflect the global shift in how common people have come to perceive Israel’s retaliatory action against Gaza in the aftermath of October’s 7th, 2023.
Third, the findings may suggest that Israel is losing the battle for public opinion. For example, every fifth respondent in Azerbaijan — despite the close ties between the Azerbaijani government and Israel — expressed disapproval of the sudden military campaign launched against Iran.
Marketed As Safe The Gulf States Suffer Reputational Damage
The conflict started during the holy month of Ramadan. If we take Abu Dhabi as a quick case study, the repercussions were serious. Hotel occupancy rates in Abu Dhabi during the end-of Ramadan celebrations in mid-March fell by 45% compared with last year. Although the UAE fully lifted airspace restrictions in early May, some airlines still haven’t resumed flights. Germany’s carrier Lufthansa, for example, has suspended flights to Abu Dhabi until late October. The Russian carrier Aeroflot will resume flights to the UAE from June 1.
For decades the UAE has cultivated the image of stability and safety, and that image is now being tested.
The Omniki.Survey study revealed that 6 out of 10 people from Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE say the conflict affects them.
When asked about what area of their life was affected the most, more than half of those residing in the UAE pointed to anxiety/stress/emotional tension, more than 40% expressed concern over possible rise of cost of living while a third worried about possible change of their employment situation.
For decades the UAE has cultivated the image of stability and safety, and that image is now being tested.
The Omniki.Survey study revealed that 6 out of 10 people from Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE say the conflict affects them.
When asked about what area of their life was affected the most, more than half of those residing in the UAE pointed to anxiety/stress/emotional tension, more than 40% expressed concern over possible rise of cost of living while a third worried about possible change of their employment situation.
Concerns about a worsening financial situation prevail in India (75.7%), Egypt (65.3%), Pakistan (63.8%), and Jordan (62.6%) and are widespread across all 13 countries.
Positive Outlook Into The Future Prevails In All Gulf states
Despite the ongoing controversy and divisions among political experts and analysts, people in the Gulf states directly involved in the current conflict — and who have experienced retaliatory strikes firsthand — tend to believe that the situation is likely to improve in the near future.
It is possible the data obtained by Omniki.Survey in the course of the study illustrates the phenomenon which scientists have come to define as optimism bias — the hardwired human tendency to overestimate the likelihood to experience positive events and underestimate the chances of negative ones.
To conclude, how the public opinion will change or shift will largely depend on how the conflict unfolds.
For more insights into the public reservations regarding the conflict and statistical data on each country-participant of the study, please contact Omniki.Survey team.
It is possible the data obtained by Omniki.Survey in the course of the study illustrates the phenomenon which scientists have come to define as optimism bias — the hardwired human tendency to overestimate the likelihood to experience positive events and underestimate the chances of negative ones.
To conclude, how the public opinion will change or shift will largely depend on how the conflict unfolds.
For more insights into the public reservations regarding the conflict and statistical data on each country-participant of the study, please contact Omniki.Survey team.
About Omniki.Survey
Omniki.Survey uses a river-sampling method for data collection from unbiased respondents, screening out quick fills and illogical answers to ensure that the data gathered is reliable and robust.
Using the best practices of sociological science Omniki.Survey delivers the basic facts and helps both governmental authorities and companies gain the necessary insight for positive change to happen.
Leave your contact details to access the full report on the extent to which people living in the above-mentioned 13 countries, directly or indirectly involved in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, have been impacted.
Upon request, we are ready to provide a detailed country-level report for any country included in the survey.
Using the best practices of sociological science Omniki.Survey delivers the basic facts and helps both governmental authorities and companies gain the necessary insight for positive change to happen.
Leave your contact details to access the full report on the extent to which people living in the above-mentioned 13 countries, directly or indirectly involved in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, have been impacted.
Upon request, we are ready to provide a detailed country-level report for any country included in the survey.
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This is a study on the global perception of opera and ballet theatres. Omniki.Survey conducted this research in April 2026. Surveying 3,600 respondents across 12 countries, we explored public awareness of leading theatre institutions, focusing on both spontaneous associations and aided recognition levels. Omniki.Survey employs the river-sampling technique, ensuring the most impartial responses.
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