Polls & Research

Americans Think Iran Will Get Nuclear Arms

- Many adults in the United States are concerned about Iran's nuclear program, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 58 per cent of respondents think Iran will eventually get nuclear weapons.

Conversely, 14 per cent of respondents believe Iran will be stopped from garnering a nuclear arsenal through diplomatic solutions, while 21 per cent say only military action will deter the government.

In June 2005, former Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won Iran's presidential election in a run-off over Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani with 61.6 per cent of all cast ballots.

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, Ahmadinejad, declared, "I officially announce that Iran has joined the club of nations that own nuclear technology."

In May, European Union (EU) foreign policy representative Javier Solana presented a package of incentives designed by Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S. to achieve negotiations with Iran on the reach of its nuclear program. The most contentious topic of the proposal calls for Iran to temporarily halt its uranium enrichment activities.

On Jul. 28, the five permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council agreed on a resolution which calls for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment before the end of August, or face the threat of sanctions. On Jul. 30, foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi declared, "If they issue a resolution against Iran, the package (of incentives) will no longer be on our agenda."

Polling Data

Overall, taking into consideration everything you have heard or read about the situation with Iran, do you think Iran will be stopped from getting nuclear weapons through diplomatic solutions, or only through military action, or do you think Iran will eventually get nuclear weapons?