POLLS REVEAL IRANIAN VIEWS ON NUCLEAR POWER, NUCLEAR WEAPONS, THEIR GOVERNMENT, AND THE UNITED STATES.

AuthorHornblow, Michael

From books, movies, and reports of university demonstrations and long lines at gas pumps, Iran-watchers have long surmised that Iranians and their government are at odds, perhaps to the point of overthrowing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad. Eager to exploit this alleged split, President Bush at a recent press conference stated: "My message to the Iranian people is, you can do better than this current government. You don't have to be in a position where you can't realize your full economic potential."

A June 5-8, 2007, poll conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow (TFT) provides support for the belief that the Iranian government and people sing from different sheets of music. Contacting a thousand Farsi speakers in thirty provinces, the poll achieved a margin of error of 3.1%.

According to the poll, 78% strongly support Iran's efforts to develop nuclear energy, and 52% approve of developing nuclear weapons. If other countries provide aid to Iran, however, 80% favor granting full international nuclear inspections and a commitment not to develop or possess nuclear weapons. A 2006 poll conducted by World Public Opinion also revealed the softness in Iranian public support for nuclear weapons, which many Iranians seem to view as a bargaining chip.

Nearly 70% of Iranians in the TFT poll favor normal relations with the United States, and a majority of them would, in turn, recognize Israel (55%) and end aid to insurgents in Iraq (64%). Almost 80% wish to establish a democracy in which Iranians would elect all leaders, including the Supreme Leader.

On the other hand, the article from World Public...

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