Many US citizens approve of the looming deal with Iran regarding its nuclear aspirations, but few trust the Islamic Republic to carry through with its commitments, a poll shows.
Iranian President Rouhani reviews the military parade. (AP/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Many Americans like the idea of a deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear program, but few people really believe Tehran will follow through with the agreement.
An Associated Press-GfK poll, which was conducted among 1,077 adults in late April, found that just three percent were very confident that Iran would allow inspections of its nuclear facilities, remove plutonium from the country and shut down close to half of its uranium-enriching centrifuges as the deal says would be required. Nearly seven in 10 people said they were not confident, while 25 percent said they were only moderately confident.
The US, Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China are aiming to finalize a deal with Iran by June 30, which puts limits on Iranian programs that could be used to make nuclear arms. In exchange, economic sanctions on Iran would be lifted over time. Tehran denies any interest in such weapons but is negotiating in hopes of relief from billions of dollars in economic sanctions.
The latest round of nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers began Tuesday in Vienna.
Although more than half of Americans polled say they approve of making the deal, only 16 percent are actually paying close attention to the complex Iran negotiations that have angered Israel and unnerved Gulf nations concerned about Tehran’s rising influence and aggressive behavior in the region.
The Senate last week passed legislation that would give Congress time to vote and reject any deal before sanctions are lifted. President Barack Obama would retain the right to veto lawmakers’ disapproval.
Israel More Important than Obama’s Deal
President Obama. (AP/Susan Walsh)
Israel’s strong objections to the deal could make a difference to many Americans. A majority say that if forced to choose, maintaining the US relationship with Israel is more important than striking a deal with Iran. As expected, respondents are divided along party lines, with nearly six in 10 Democrats saying the Iran deal is more important and seven in 10 Republicans insisting that ties with Israel are more critical.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been one of the harshest critics of the deal with Iran. Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran an existential threat, citing hostile Iranian rhetoric toward the Jewish state, Iran’s missile capabilities and its support for violent terror groups.
More broadly, the poll found that Americans are increasingly interested in the US role in world affairs, with 60 percent saying it’s an extremely important issue, up from 52 percent less than five months ago.
Slightly more people also approve of Obama’s handling of the issue, increasing from 38 percent in December to 42 percent in the latest poll. Fifty-seven percent disapprove.
Overall, Americans are more likely to trust Republicans than Democrats to protect the country.
By: AP and United with Israel Staff
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