Most Americans down on Iran

Americans are united in their concern over the threat of Iran, according to a poll taken by The Israel Project, Washington, D.C. In fact, 78% are in favor of the international community placing economic and diplomatic sanctions on Iran, while 77% feel the U.S. should do the same.

Additionally, 73% of those polled say they had heard about Iran's nuclear research program, but only 16% believe the country's claim that its intention is to create new energy supplies for itself. Of those who are following the crisis closely, 83% support U.S. sanctions on Iran, while 65% who are not following the situation closely still are in favor of such sanctions.

Americans also say they understand Iran's role as a state sponsor of terror. When asked who were the main providers of support for Hezbollah's militant activities, 53% of those polled named Iran; 32% said Syria. Americans have an overwhelmingly negative view of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran. When asked to rate their feelings on a scale of zero to 100, in which zero means "very cold or unfavorable" and 100 means "very warm or favorable," Hezbollah received a zero from 66% of respondents.

When asked if Hezbollah "acted properly or went too far" in its armed conflict with Israel, the survey shows that 78% say it went too far. When the same question was asked about Iran, 73% say it acted improperly.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning