New poll says Iranians like Zarif, dislike US
A University of Maryland telephone survey of Iranians finds they like their president and foreign minister and are hopeful that the nuclear deal will provide economic rewards.
A new poll of Iranians taken just before the landmark nuclear deal went into full effect shows strong support for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and closer ties with Europe, but negative views of the United States.
The poll was conducted Dec. 29 through Jan. 15 by the University of Maryland working through an intermediary. It canvassed by telephone 1,012 Iranians above the age of 18 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%.
According to an advance copy shared with Al-Monitor, 82% had a favorable opinion of Rouhani and 78% liked Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who led the negotiations with the United States and five other nations that culminated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The poll also found that 59% of Iranians want supporters of Rouhani to win upcoming elections for a new parliament.
The warm feelings toward the president reflected widespread Iranian approval of the JCPOA, which lifted European, UN and some US sanctions against Iran on Jan. 16 in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program. According to the poll, 72% back the deal and 80% approve of better relations with Europe.
