Don’t Bomb Iran

June 15, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States think Iran does not represent an imminent a danger to their country, according to a poll by CBS News. 55 per cent of respondents think Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy now, while 19 per cent believe the country is not a threat at this time. Conversely, 21 per cent of respondents believe Iran is a threat to the United States that requires immediate military action. After being branded as part of an “axis of evil” by U.S. president George W. Bush in January 2002, Iran has contended that its nuclear program aims to produce energy, not weapons. In November 2004, the Iranian government announced a voluntary suspension of its uranium enrichment program following international pressure. In August 2005, Iran resumed uranium conversion activities at the Isfahan facility. On Apr. 12, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared, “I officially announce that Iran has joined the club of nations that own nuclear technology.” On Jun. 9, Bush discussed the “change in tactics” in dealing with Iran, saying, “Part of the change in tactics was to do two things: One, say to the Iranians, the choice is yours to make, see. You have said you’re going to verifiably suspend your program. Now we’re going to see whether or not you really mean it. And if you do, by the way, the United States will come to the table. And I said to our friends and partners, if they choose not to come back—to suspend verifiably, there must be a consequence. There must be a sense of urgency on our part to send a common message to them.” Yesterday, foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said his country has no deadline to respond to the international pitch aimed at ending the nuclear crisis, declaring, “In the proposal, there are no punitive measures and no time limit. When we have finished examining it and have reached a conclusion, we will announce the result.” Polling Data Which comes closer to your opinion? Jun. 2006 May 2006 Iran is a threat to the United States that requires military action now 21% 11% Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy now 55% 58% Iran is not a threat to the United States at this time 19% 22% No opinion 5% 9% Source: CBS News Methodology: Telephone interviews with 659 American adults, conducted on Jun. 10 and Jun. 11, 2006. Margin of error is 4 per cent.