These are the topline results of a YouGov/Economist survey of 1000 US adults interviewed November 16-18, 2013 on attitudes towards Iran. The results show that a many Americans have little trust in the Iranian government, but that a majority think the President should be personally involved in negotiation. The margin of error is 4.6%.
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How serious a threat do you think Iran poses to the United States?
An immediate and serious threat to the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16%
A somewhat serious threat to the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37%
A minor threat to the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23%
Not a threat to the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10%
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14%
Why do you think that Iran is enriching uranium?
Probably for peaceful purposes alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9%
Probably to build a nuclear weapon as well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65%
Don’t know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26%
What strategy should the US employ to get Iran to limit its nuclear program?
Threaten Iran with of the possible use of military force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19%
Threaten Iran with harsher economic sanctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32%
Reward Iran with easing of economic sanctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15%
Reward Iran with a guarantee of no use of military force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
Reward Iran with resumption of diplomatic relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12%
Something else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32%
How much do you trust the government of Iran to adhere to any agreement which limits Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon?
A great deal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2%
Some . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11%
Not much . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34%
Not at all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41%
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13%
Should President Obama personally negotiate with the leaders of Iran to limit their nuclear program?
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54%
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46%
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling Iran?
Strongly approve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9%
Somewhat approve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23%
Somewhat disapprove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14%
Strongly disapprove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28%
No opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26%
