Poll Watch: Pew Research Survey on Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program

Pew Research Survey on Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program

In your opinion, which is more important: to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action; or to avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons?

• Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action 58%
• Avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons 30%

Among Democrats

• Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action 50%
• Avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons 38%

Among Republicans

• Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action 74%
• Avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons 16%

Among Independents

• Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action 55%
• Avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons 34%

Among Tea Party Republicans

• Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action 84%
• Avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons 12%

If Israel were to attack Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program, what position should the U.S. take? Should it support Israel’s military action, oppose Israel’s military action, or should the U.S. stay neutral?

• Support Israel’s military action 39%
• Oppose Israel’s military action 5%
• Stay neutral 51%

Among Democrats

• Support Israel’s military action 33%
• Oppose Israel’s military action 7%
• Stay neutral 57%

Among Republicans

• Support Israel’s military action 62%
• Oppose Israel’s military action 3%
• Stay neutral 34%

Among Independents

• Support Israel’s military action 33%
• Oppose Israel’s military action 6%
• Stay neutral 58%

Among Tea Party Republicans

• Support Israel’s military action 81%
• Oppose Israel’s military action 1%
• Stay neutral 17%

Do you think tougher international economic sanctions on Iran will or will not work in getting Iran to give up its nuclear program?

• Will work 21%
• Will not work 64%

Among Democrats

• Will work 28%
• Will not work 56%

Among Republicans

• Will work 17%
• Will not work 72%

Among Independents

• Will work 20%
• Will not work 67%

Survey of 1,501 adults was conducted February 8-12, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.0 percentage points.

Inside the numbers:

Republicans (47%) are more likely than independents (38%) and Democrats (31%) to say they have heard a lot about the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. And two-thirds (67%) of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who agree with the Tea Party say they have heard a lot about Iran’s nuclear program.