What Do Iranians Think? A Survey of Attitudes on the United States, the Nuclear Program, and the Economy

Abstract : The RAND Corporation conducted a phone survey of Iranian public opinion in order to gauge Iranian attitudes on critical issues affecting U.S. interests. Respondents constituted a nationally representative sample of 1,002 members of the Iranian public, age 18 and older, who lived in households with landline telephones, spoke Farsi, and were willing to participate. These respondents participated during December 10-28, 2009.1 The survey's goal was to gauge Iranian attitudes on a number of issues important to American analysts and policymakers, including U.S.- Iranian relations, the effects of sanctions, and the Iranian nuclear program. The survey demonstrated that Iranians were divided on certain issues at stake between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, such as the development of nuclear weapons. But on other issues, including the economy and the prospect of reestablishing U.S.-Iranian ties, respondents expressed more-unified opinions.