(01/11/10) -

Americans, Britons and Canadians Think Iran Wants Nuclear Weapons

In Britain and Canada, respondents prefer direct diplomatic negotiations, while one-in-four Americans support air strikes or a full-scale invasion.

In Britain and Canada, respondents prefer direct diplomatic negotiations, while one-in-four Americans support air strikes or a full-scale invasion.

A majority of respondents in the United States, Britain and Canada believe Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, but respondents are divided on how to approach the issue at this time, a new three-country Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

The online survey of representative national samples also found that three-in-four respondents in each one of the countries surveyed (79% in Britain, 78% in the U.S. and 74% in Canada) hold an unfavourable opinion of Iran.

The poll was conducted after Iran failed to agree to a proposal by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which called on Iran to transfer low-enriched uranium abroad for processing to turn it into fuel-making uranium.

Two-thirds of respondents in Canada (66%) believe the Government of Iran is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. The sentiment is echoed by 63 per cent of Britons, and 71 per cent of Americans.

Respondents were provided with five possible scenarios to deal with Iran at this time. Only five per cent of Britons, four per cent of Americans and four per cent of Canadians believe Iran poses no threat to the world and nothing should be done.

Half of Britons (52%) and two-in-five Canadians (44%) would engage Iran in direct diplomatic negotiations, a view shared by just 26 per cent of Americans.

Imposing economic sanctions against Iran is supported by roughly the same proportion of respondents in each one of the three countries surveyed (21% in the U.S., and 18% in both Britain and Canada).

In the U.S., 17 per cent of respondents would launch military strikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities. Eleven per cent of Canadians and six per cent of Britons agree with this course of action.

Finally, nine per cent of Americans, six per cent of Canadians and five per cent of Britons would authorize a full-scale invasion of Iran to remove the current government.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs
+604 647 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-203-178-3952
andy.morris@angus-reid.com