American Public Opinion Polls:
Opinion Toward the 2015 Iran Deal

(February 2016)


American Public Opinion Polls: Table of Contents | Opinion on Iran | Opinion on U.S. Middle East Policy


Do you approve or disapprove of the Iran nuclear agreement? (Gallup, February 3-7, 2016)

 
Total
Approve
30%
Disapprove
57%
No opinion
14%

How closely are you following the news about the nuclear agreement reached between Iran, the U.S., and five other nations last year that recently went into effect - very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all? (Gallup, February 3-7, 2016)

 
Total
Very closely
18%
Somewhat closely
37%
Not closely
26%
Not at all
17%

Do you see the development of nuclear weapons by Iran within the next 10 years as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all? (Gallup, February 3-7, 2016)

 
Total
Critical
75%
Important but not critical
18%
Not important
5%
No opinion
1%

What is your overall opinion of Iran? Is it very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable? (Gallup, February 3-7, 2016)

 
Total
Very favorable
3%
Mostly favorable
11%
Mostly unfavorable
39%
Very unfavorable
40%
No opinion
7%

(Half sample poll) As you may know, the U.S. and other countries have announced a deal to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran agreeing not to produce nuclear weapons. Do you support or oppose this agreement? (The Washington Post, September 17, 2015)

 
Total
Support
45%
Oppose
44%
No opinion
11%

(Half sample poll) As you may know, the U.S. and other countries have announced a deal to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran agreeing not to produce nuclear weapons. International inspectors would monitor Iran’s facilities, and if Iran is caught breaking the agreement economic sanctions would be imposed again. Do you support or oppose this agreement? (The Washington Post, September 17, 2015)

 
Total
Support
51%
Oppose
41%
No opinion
8%

How confident are you in the abilities of the U.S. and the IAEA to monitor Iranian compliance? (PEW, September 2015)

 
Total
Very confident
12%
Somewhat confident
30%
Somewhat unconfident
27%
Not at all confident
24%

How confident are you that Iran's leaders will hold up their side of the agreement? (PEW, September 2015)

 
Total
Very confident
2%
Somewhat confident
18%
Somewhat unconfident
28%
Not at all confident
42%

Do you approve or disapprove of the recent nuclear agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran? (PEW, September 2015)

 
Total
Approve
21%
Disapprove
49%
Don't know/refuse
30%

How confident are you about the ability of the U.S. and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to monitor Iran's compliance?(AJC, September 2015)

 
U.S. Jews
Very confident
6.1%
Somewhat confident
37.8%
Somewhat unconfident
28.2%
Not at all confident
26.1%

Will Israel's security be more or less at risk with the nuclear deal?(AJC, September 2015)

 
U.S. Jews
More at risk
42.8%
Less at risk
17.9%
Stay the same
37.8%

How confident are you that this agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons?(AJC, September 2015)

 
U.S. Jews
Very confident
4.9%
Somewhat confident
30.7%
Somewhat unconfident
30.1%
Not confident at all
33.2%

Recently, the U.S., along with five other countries, reached a deal on Iran's nuclear program. Do you approve or disapprove of this agreement?(AJC, September 2015)

 
U.S. Jews
Approve strongly
16.4%
Approve somewhat
34.2%
Disapprove somewhat
19.8%
Disapprove strongly
27.4%

As you may have heard, one part of the nuclear agreement allows Iranians to inspect their own possible covert nuclear activities at the Parchin site. After collecting samples, photos, and videos, the Iranians will send this information to the U.N. inspectors instead of allowing inspectors to come see the facility. Knowing this, do you approve or disapprove of this agreement? (The Israel Project, September 2015)

 
Total
Approve
20%
Disapprove
66%
Don't know/refuse
14%

Some supporters of the Iran deal have suggested that elected officials who are both Jewish and oppose the nuclear deal with Iran are opposed to the deal because they are more loyal to Israel than the U.S. In your opinion, do these comments constitute anti-Semitism?
(The Israel Project, September 2015)

 
Total
Very anti-Semitic
12%
Somewhat anti-Semitic
25%
Not very anti-Semitic
15%
Not anti-Semitic at all
17%
Don't know/refuse
32%

Indicate which of the next two statements you agree with more: (The Israel Project, September 2015)

 
Total
The deal with Iran is good progress and will limit their nuclear program
28%
The deal with Iran is not tough enough and will eventually lead to the Iranians getting a nuclear weapon
58%
Don't know/refuse
14%

Based on what you know, do you approve or disapprove of this agreement? (The Israel Project, September 2015)

 
Total
Approve
36%
Disapprove
49%
Don't know/refuse
15%

How much have you seen, heard, or read, about the Congressional debate surrounding the nuclear deal with Iran? (The Israel Project, September 2015)

 
Total
A lot
31%
Some
46%
Very little
17%
Nothing
6%

The United States has reached an agreement with Iran that ends some economic sanctions on that country in exchange for cutbacks in Iran’s nuclear weapons program. How likely is it, that Iran will uphold its end of the deal? (Rasmussen, September 2015)

 
Total
Very likely
8%
Likely
35%
Not very likely
18%
Not likely at all
39%

Will the treaty the Obama administration has negotiated with Iran make the Middle East safer or put it more at risk? Or will the treaty have no impact on the safety and security of the region? (Rasmussen, September 2015)

 
Total
It will make the Middle East safer
23%
It will not have an impact
27%
It will put the region more at risk
40%
Don't know/refuse
10%

The United States has reached an agreement with Iran that ends some economic sanctions on that country in exchange for verifiable cutbacks in Iran's nuclear weapons program. Should any agreement the Obama administration makes with Iran regarding the Iranian nuclear program require the approval of Congress? (Rasmussen, September 2015)

 
Total
The agreement needs to be approved by Congress
66%
The agreement does not require Congressional approval
20%
Don't know/refuse
14%

If your Senators and Congressman support the Iran deal, would you ever vote for them again in the future? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Yes
28.9%
11.9%
44.9%
No
54.1%
74.2%
36.1%
Don't know/refuse
17%
13.9%
19%

If a majority of Representatives vote against the JCPOA and Obama vetoes the legislation, should your Congressional Representative support the President's veto or vote to override the veto? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Support
33.5%
9.3%
60.3%
Override
56%
84.7%
24.6%
Don't know/refuse
10.5%
6%
15.2%

Do you believe the U.S. Congress should be required to vote on the deal, or should the deal be able to go into effect without a Congressional vote? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Required to vote
69%
81.7%
48%
Go into effect w/o
21.7%
10.9%
38.4%
Don't know/refuse
9.3%
7.3%
13.6%

Do you think that President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry are telling Americans all of the facts about the deal, or only what they think will help the agreement pass Congress? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
All the facts
24.6%
5.4%
48.4%
Only what helps pass
64.6%
87.0%
40.5%
Don't know/refuse
10.8%
7.6%
11.2%

Should Congress increase sanctions on Iran to stop it's terrorist activities even though it has threatened to walk away from the deal? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Yes
69.4%
79.7%
47.7%
No
21.5%
10.7%
34.8%
Don't know/refuse
13.1%
9.6%
17.5%

Do you think the Iran deal will make Iran a friend to the United States or a more dangerous enemy? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Friend
17.4%
4%
35.4%
More dangerous enemy
62%
85.1%
36.9%
Don't know/refuse
20.7%
10.9%
27.7%

Should Congress approve a deal that allows Iran to inspect their own nuclear sites without supervision from international inspectors? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Yes
7%
3.7%
11.3%
No
88.1%
93.8%
79.3%
Don't know/refuse
4.9%
2.5%
9.3%

Should your Congressmen and Senators vote for an Iran deal that lifts sanctions and provides Iran $100 billion that it can use to finance it's terrorist activities? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Yes
9.5%
2.7%
18.1%
No
77.9%
90.4%
64%
Don't know/refuse
12.5%
6.9%
17.9%

Should your Congressional representatives vote in favor of a deal that gives Iran 24 days notice before inspections of it's nuclear labs can take place? (Secure American Now, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Yes
26.6%
12.2%
43.8%
No
64%
80.7%
42.2%
Don't know/refuse
9.4%
7.1%
14%

Would you recommend that your members of Congress approve or reject the JCPOA? (University of Maryland, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Approve
52%
30%
69%
Reject
47%
69%
32%

If you were in Congress and had to cast an up-or-down vote on the recent deal with Iran that lifts sanctions for ten years in exchange for Iran curtailing its pursuit of a nuclearprogram over that time period -- would you approve or reject the deal? (Fox News, August 2015)

 
Total
Approve
31%
Reject
58%
Don't know/No answer
10%

Do you think Iran can be trusted to honor the agreement, or not? (Fox News, August 2015)

 
Total
Yes
18%
No
75%
Don't know/No answer
6%

As you may know, New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the second-ranking Democrat inthe U.S. Senate and also a prominent supporter of Israel, recently stated he opposes theIran nuclear deal. Does Schumer’s opposition make you more or less favorable towardthe deal, or doesn't it affect you either way? (Fox News, August 2015)

 
Total
More favorable
7%
Less favorable
13%
No difference
76%
Don't know/No answer
3%

Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's handling of Iran? (Gallup, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Approve
33%
10%
56%
Disapprove
55%
82%
29%

The United States and other countries have recently negotiated an agreement with Iran to curb that country's nuclear program and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Have you seen or heard a lot, a little, or nothing at all about this? (Monmouth University, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
A lot
50%
63%
48%
A little
38%
29%
41%
Nothing
12%
9%
11%

Should Congress vote to approve or not approve this agreement, or are you not sure? (Monmouth University, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Approve
27%
13%
41%
Not approve
32%
55%
14%
Not sure
41%
32%
45%

How much do you trust Iran to abide by the terms of this agreement - a lot, a little, or not at all? (Monmouth University, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
A lot
6%
2%
11%
A little
28%
17%
39%
Not at all
61%
80%
43%
Not sure
5%
1%
7%

Who do you think got more of what they wanted from this deal, the United States or Iran, or did both countries get what they wanted? (Monmouth University, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
U.S.
14%
8%
15%
Iran
41%
67%
23%
Both
23%
9%
39%
Neither
5%
4%
4%
Not Sure
17%
13%
19%

Do you think the nuclear deal with Iran will make the world safer or less safe? (Quinnipiac, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Safer
30%
4%
54%
Less Safe
58%
87%
32%
Don't know/No answer
15%
11%
16%

Do you support or oppose the nuclear deal with Iran? (Quinnipiac, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Support
28%
3%
52%
Oppose
57%
86%
32%
Don't know/No answer
15%
11%
16%

Do you approve of the way that President Obama has dealt with Iran in general?(Quinnipiac, August 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
Support
35%
3%
67%
Oppose
56%
93%
23%
Don't know/No answer
9%
4%
10%

How much have you seen, read, or heard about the negotiations with Iran in regard to their nuclear program and international sanctions? (The Israel Project, July 2015)

 
Jewish Americans
A lot
42%
Some
42%
Not much
11%
Nothing
4%

The U.S. Congress has 60 days to review the deal and vote on whether or not to lift U.S. sanctions on Iran. In your opinion, should Congress vote to...? (The Israel Project, July 2015)

 
Jewish Americans
Approve the deal
40%
Reject the deal
45%
Don't know
15%

As you may know, the U.S. Congress must approve the agreement the United States and 5 other countries reached with Iran that is aimed at peventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons before it can take effect. Do you think Congress should approve or reject the deal with Iran? (CNN/ORC, July 2015)

 
Total
Congress should approve the deal
44%
Congress should reject the deal
52%
No opinion
5%

As you may know, an agreement was reached in which the United States and other countries would lift major economic sanctions against Iran, in exchange for Iran restricting its nuclear program in a way that makes it harder for it to produce nuclear weapons. Do you support or oppose this agreement, or don’t know enough to say? (Los Angeles Jewish Journal, July 2015)

 
Jewish Americans
All Americans
I support the deal
48%
28%
I oppose the deal
28%
24%
Don't know enough
25%
48%

The U.S. and other countries have announced a deal to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran agreeing not to produce nuclear weapons. International inspectors would monitor Iran’s facilities, and if Iran is caught breaking the agreement economic sanctions would be imposed again. Do you support or oppose this agreement? (Washington Post/ABC, July 2015)

 
Total
I support the deal
56%
I oppose the deal
37%
No opinion
7%

Do you support or oppose the agreement (Republicans)? (Washington Post/ABC, July 2015)

 
Total
I support the deal
41%
I oppose the deal
54%
No opinion
5%

Do you support or oppose the agreement (Democrats)? (Washington Post/ABC, July 2015)

 
Total
I support the deal
69%
I oppose the deal
25%
No opinion
6%

How confident are you that this agreement will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? (Washington Post/ABC, July 2015)

 
Total
Very confident
6%
Somewhat confident
29%
Not so confident
22%
Not confident at all
42%
No opinion
1%

Do you approve of the way that President Obama has dealt with Iran in general? (Washington Post/ABC, July 2015)

 
Total
Republicans
Democrats
I approve
35%
80%
59%
I disapprove
52%
20%
41%

Have you heard of the nuclear agreement that has been reached between Iran and the P5+1? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
I have heard of it
79%
I have not heard of it
21%

Do you approve of the nuclear agreement that has been reached between Iran and the P5+1 (total)? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
Approve
38%
Disapprove
48%
No opinion
14%

Do you approve of the nuclear agreement that has been reached between Iran and the P5+1 (Republicans)? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
Approve
14%
Disapprove
75%
No opinion
11%

Do you approve of the nuclear agreement that has been reached between Iran and the P5+1 (Democrats)? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
Approve
59%
Disapprove
25%
No opinion
26%

Do you have confidence that Iran's leaders will hold up their side of the deal? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
Great deal of confidence
3%
Fair amount of confidence
23%
Not too confident
35%
Not confident at all
38%

Do you have confidence in the international monitors ability to monitor Iranian compliance with the deal? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
Great deal of confidence
11%
Fair amount of confidence
34%
Not too confident
33%
Not confident at all
21%

What do you think the effect of the deal will be on Iranian-U.S. relations? (Pew, July 2015)

 
Total
There will be little change
42%
U.S.-Iranian relations will worsen
28%
U.S.-Iranian relations will improve
25%

How confident are you that this agreement would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? (Quinnipiac, April 2015)

 
Total
Very confident
4%
Somewhat confident
31%
Not so confident
23%
Not confident at all
39%
Don't know/refuse to answer
3%

Would you support or oppose legislation that would make any Iran agreement subject to congressional approval? (Quinnipiac, April 2015)

 
Total
Support
65%
Oppose
24%
Don't know/refuse to answer
10%

Source:“National: Iran got better end of deal,” Monmouth University, (August 10. 2015);
Agiesta, Jennifer. “Majority wants Congress to reject Iran deal,” CNN/ORC, (July 28, 2015);
Clement, Scott. “56% of people support Obama's Iran deal. But they don't think it will work,” The Washington Post, (July 20, 2015);
“Iran nuclear agreement meets with public skepticism,” Pew Research Center, (July 21, 2015);
“American voters back Iran deal by wide margin, Quinnipiac poll finds,” Quinnipiac (April 27, 2015)

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