NEW YORK CITY — CNN commentator Scott Jennings used profanity directed at fellow panelist Adam Mockler on live television during NewsNight With Abby Phillip on Thursday night. The exchange occurred after Jennings was repeatedly pressed to name a single political concession the United States had extracted from its war with Iran.

Jennings, a pro-Trump commentator and former George W. Bush campaign staffer, did not provide an answer to the question. He said the U.S. war on Iran had the singular purpose of preventing a theocratic regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Mockler, a 23-year-old commentator with the progressive outlet MeidasTouch, continued to press the point during the panel discussion. "So you can't answer the question," Mockler said.

Jennings then told Mockler to remove his hand from his face. "Get your fucking hand out of my face," Jennings said. The remark was broadcast live on CNN.

The on-air exchange took place as public opinion polling showed broad opposition to the military campaign. A Washington Post–ABC News-Ipsos poll found that 61% of Americans consider the use of military force against Iran a mistake. Pollsters compared the 61% opposition level to the level of opposition during the Iraq war in 2006 and to the Vietnam war in the early 1970s.

The same poll found that fewer than one in five Americans said the campaign has been going well. Roughly four in 10 said it has not been successful, while another four in 10 said it is too early to render a verdict.