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Iranwire – A large majority of Iranians believe their government should abandon calls for Israel’s destruction and pursue direct negotiations with the United States, according to a new poll.
The survey by Gamaan, or the Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran, found 69 per cent of respondents said Iran’s government should drop the slogan calling for Israel’s destruction, which has been a cornerstone of the Islamic Republic’s ideology since the 1979 revolution.
About 62 per cent supported direct negotiations with Washington to resolve disputes, the poll found.
Nearly half – 47 per cent – agreed Iran should halt uranium enrichment to prevent another war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, received low marks for his handling of the 12-day war.
Only 27 percent rated his performance positively, while 58 percent viewed it negatively.
On nuclear weapons development, respondents were divided: 49 percent opposed Iran building atomic weapons, while 36 per cent supported it.
Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, though it has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels.
The poll found 6 per cent more respondents than last year favor overthrowing the Islamic Republic, while support for structural reforms and gradual transition decreased by 3 per cent.
Gamaan conducts online surveys of Iranians. Independent polling is restricted in Iran, and the government does not recognize surveys conducted outside official channels.
