Most Americans Urge for Diplomacy with Iran

Angus Reid Global Scan
May. 06, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States have a clear idea of how their government should approach the situation regarding Iran’s nuclear program, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 63 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should resort to economic and diplomatic efforts, but not take military action.

After being branded as part of an "axis of evil" by U.S. president George W. Bush in January 2002, Iran has contended that its nuclear program aims to produce energy, not weapons. Support for military action against Iran stands at 13 per cent.

In November 2004, the Iranian government announced a voluntary suspension of its uranium enrichment program following international pressure. In August 2005, Iran resumed uranium conversion activities at the Isfahan facility. On Apr. 12, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared, "I officially announce that Iran has joined the club of nations that own nuclear technology."

Yesterday in Kazakhstan, U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney discussed the situation in Iran, declaring, "We need to find a way diplomatically to avoid the kind of problems that would result from an Iran that developed nuclear weapons. I believe there’s an international consensus that is held by most of the governments of the region, indeed, around the world that there’s no need for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. The United States is working with others to try to find a diplomatic solution that will avoid a confrontation over this issue."

Polling Data

What do you think the United States should do to get Iran to shut down its nuclear program?

Take military action against Iran now

13%

Use economic and diplomatic efforts,
but not take military action right now

63%

Take no action against Iran at this time

21%

No opinion

3%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,012 American adults, conducted from Apr. 21 to Apr. 23, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.