Americans overwhelmingly see Iran's nuclear program as geared toward the development of atomic weaponry, and more than eight in 10 support direct diplomatic talks to try to resolve the situation, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
As negotiators from the United States, France and Russia meet with Iran starting today in Vienna, public opinion in the U.S. is decidedly behind one possible outcome should the talks fail: 78 percent in the new poll support international economic sanctions against Iran to try to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
There's less, though still sizable backing for military engagement, with 42 percent of Americans supporting the bombing of Iran's nuclear development sites and 33 percent advocating invading the country with U.S. ground forces (54 and 62 percent, respectively, oppose these actions).
Three in 10 support direct financial incentives such as aid money or more trade; two-thirds of Americans oppose these potential inducements.
Public reviews of how President Obama is handling the situation with Iran have changed little since the spring and summer: 52 percent of Americans now approve of how he is doing in this area, 39 percent disapprove. About seven in 10 Democrats approve of how the president is dealing with Iran, while a similar proportion of Republicans give him low marks here. Independents split 51 percent positive, 41 percent negative.
Partisanship is, however, less apparent in terms of possible policy options. Democrats are somewhat more apt to favor financial incentives to try to stave off the Iranian nuclear program, and Republicans are more likely to back military action, but the differences are minor.
Ideology proves a sharper divide here, with liberals staunchly opposed to military action and conservatives more apt to favor engagement. By contrast, conservatives sharply oppose financial incentives while liberals are about evenly split on the question. But one point of agreement emerges: broad majorities on both ends of the ideological spectrum back economic sanctions to discourage Iran's development of nuclear weapons.
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling the situation with Iran?
-- Approve --- - Disapprove -
NET Strongly NET Strongly
All 52 24 39 27
Democrat 71 40 22 13
Republican 18 4 69 49
Independent 51 20 41 30
Liberal 78 45 17 11
Moderate 51 23 43 32
Conservative 40 12 48 33
Q. To try to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, would you support or oppose...
Direct diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran to try to resolve the situation
Support Oppose No op. All 82 18 1 Democrat 84 15 1 Republican 78 21 1 Independent 82 17 1 Liberal 86 14 0 Moderate 83 16 1 Conservative 79 20 *
Imposing international economic sanctions against Iran
Support Oppose No op. All 78 18 4 Democrat 78 19 3 Republican 85 14 1 Independent 76 19 5 Liberal 72 28 1 Moderate 77 19 4 Conservative 84 12 4
The United States bombing Iran's nuclear development sites
Support Oppose No op. All 42 54 4 Democrat 38 57 5 Republican 49 49 1 Independent 42 54 4 Liberal 24 74 3 Moderate 40 58 3 Conservative 56 38 6
Invading with U.S. forces to remove the Iranian government from power
Support Oppose No op. All 33 62 4 Democrat 32 63 5 Republican 40 57 3 Independent 30 65 5 Liberal 22 76 2 Moderate 30 65 5 Conservative 44 51 5
Offering Iran financial incentives such as aid money, or more trade, if it abandons any effort to develop nuclear weapons
Support Oppose No op. All 30 67 2 Democrat 38 57 5 Republican 28 69 3 Independent 25 75 0 Liberal 47 50 3 Moderate 31 68 1 Conservative 22 75 2
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