Public Support for Diplomacy with Iran Has Increased Dramatically

A new poll released today by The Public Agenda and in cooperation with Foreign Affairs entitled “Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index” states that “the public’s preference for diplomacy, always strong, has increased dramatically, particularly regarding Iran.”

According to the survey’s findings, “There’s been a 12-point jump in the last six months in those who favor using diplomacy to establish better relations with Iran, with 47% now saying that’s the best strategy. As in previous editions of the survey, very few want to use force or even threaten to do so with Iran (only 12 percent total.” Compared to the fall of 2007 survey, this demonstrates a 34% increase in the proportion of people saying that diplomacy is the best way for the U.S. to deal with Iran. In contrast, the support for taking military action as the best option dropped from 10 percent to seven percent. Support for threatening military action dropped from nine percent to five percent.

International economic sanctions comes in as the second preferred best option at 28%, a small decline from 30% in fall 2007.