Polls & Research

Americans Foresee War Against Iran

- Many adults in the United States believe their country will become involved in a military conflict with an Islamic state, according to a poll by SurveyUSA. 53 per cent of respondents think the U.S. will be at war with Iran five years from now.

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. 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. Last April, 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.

Last month, 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 Aug. 23, Ahmadinejad declared, "Those who think they can deprive Iran of its right to peaceful nuclear technology are on the wrong track. I declare to the world that Iran is able to achieve further breakthroughs given the efforts and determination of its people and youth." 73 per cent of respondents think Iran is a threat to U.S. security.

Polling Data

Five years from now, do you think the United States will be at war with Iran?

Do you think the nation of Iran is a threat to the security of the United States?