Washington (CNN) – Seven in 10 Americans believe that Iran currently has nuclear weapons, according to a new national poll.
Friday's release of the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey comes just hours after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the Islamic republic isn't seeking and doesn't believe in pursuing nuclear weapons. Khamenei was responding to a draft United Nations report that said that Iran may be working to develop a nuclear weapon.
The poll indicates that 71 percent of the public says Iran has nuclear weapons, with just over one in four disagreeing. More than six in ten think the U.S. should take economic and diplomatic efforts to get Iran to shut down their nuclear program, with only a quarter calling for immediate military action.
"But if economic and diplomatic efforts fail, support for military action rises to 59 percent, with only 39 percent opposing military action under those circumstances," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
The survey also indicates that support is dropping for how President Obama handled the attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner landing in Detroit on Christmas Day, but the change seems unrelated to the controversy over reading the suspect his rights. In early January, 57 percent of the public approved of how Obama reacted to that incident, but that figure has dropped 12 points, with 47 percent now saying they disapprove of how Obama handled the situation.
"Critics have asserted that the FBI should not have read Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab his Miranda rights. But two-thirds think the FBI should have told AbdulMutallab that he had the right to remain silent, and 56 percent say that the FBI should do that with any terrorist suspect in custody," adds Holland.
But according to the poll, nearly six in ten continue to believe that the suspect should be tried in a military court, not a civilian court.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted February 12-15, with 1,023 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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of course they do and anyone who thinks they wants nuclear power for peaceful means is a fool.
I find it very hard to believe that 59% of the American people support another war. Course, with CNN's undying support for Cheney and other war mongers, can see how they would twist the outcome to show what they support.
I bet the people who want to wage war with Iran are Republicans...the same ones who were cheering Dick Cheney at the CPAC Convention! War is certainly not the answer here...we already have two wars raging, enough is enough!
That is about the same percent who felt Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. I am sure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons yet, but may in the next several years. What is it about 25% and the military action? What are you chicken hawks thinking?
Looks like the neo-cons and the establishment press have done their job effectively.
So what's new?
Israel, India, North Korea,Pakistan are nuclear states. So are France , China, Russia ,G.Britain & US.
Can we have a nuclear weapons free world??
Was "How in the heck would I know?" one of the choices for the survey takers? It should have been. A stupid survey question...
Really? What evidence do these 71% of Americans have that Iran has nuclear weapons? Polls are interesting since its all in "how" the question is asked. Also, only 1023 of Americans were polled........ we have over 300 million. I realize that statistics is a math, but really....... 71% believe that Iran has nuclear weapons? 59% support military action?! Who did you talk to CNN?
Wow, the percentage of Americans that are idiots is even higher than I thought. Certainly they are trying to get them, but anyone who has been even slightly paying attention knows they are years away from a warhead. It is scary how little the American public is interested in facts..
Maybe I am thinking this thru incorrectly - yesterday I saw on the news ticker "Biden says US nuclear arsenals need to be restocked". So am I wrong to have a big question mark as to why the US gets to have nuclear weapons and the Iranians, or anyone else for that matter, don't?
Hey CNN, Why don't you try to get a clue. Guess what, OBOZOS diplomacy and sanctions have completely failed. Actually while OBOZO was going around apologizing for America, writing letters to evil dictators, coming up with moronic catch phrases "we will extend a hand if you unclench your fist"–OBOZO, and basically promoting one failed idea after another all while giving Iran plenty of time to build its nuclear weapons. November cannot come soon enough. Its time to get all of the weak, pathetic anti American Radical Liberals out of Congress and back to the slum they slithered from. As far as the one and done snakeoil salesmen, LOL, fugeddaboutit!!!
Leaving aside the logistical issue that with 2/3 of our military currently engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that starting a THIRD war would be impossible without bringing back a draft, there's a larger question that the 59% calling for war ought to address.
With our current budget deficit and national debt crisis, how exactly would we PAY for this? You're asking a lot of people to give up their Social Security and Medicare in order for the US to launch a trillion dollar plus war with Iran that would be likely to escalate.
Hey O-blah-blah... why don't you just offer to sit down with I'm-a-dinner-jacket over a beer and talk things out? Oh wait...
Is this a diversion from the assascination in that hotel in Dubai? What else is new?
We know this guy is hoping to be attacked.Hes suicidal and hopes for ww3.
Our military option isn't realistic. Israel will do it long before we do. We need real sanctions. If China or Russia don't want to join in we should act in concert with nations like France, Germany and Great Britain and go towards a naval blockade of gasoline and other vital products. While Iran is a oil producing country, they have to import gasoline and other petroleum products because they lack refineries. I know that is extreme but Israel will not allow a country that threatens their destruction in every speech to have such a weapon. The alternative if Israel attacks will be a economic collapse worldwide not to mention the military action that will be required after the fact.
One hundred percent of all Americans should have answered, "There is no way I could possibly know. I don't know how a bomb is built and I don't know how many of those steps Iran has completed."
As for the underpants bomber: This guy was not much of a threat. He might have killed a hundred passengers. However, on the same day more Americans that that will be murdered by other Americans. During that month, 1700 people died from the flu and 1300 Americans were murdered by other Americans (see Amy Bishop and Joseph Stack).
We could save more Americans lives by enforcing seat belt laws than by purchasing underpants x-ray machines for our airports.
We all have believed this for quite a while now CNN. You just catching on??!!
And you, CNN, just realized this now?!
Yes, I believe that Iran has nukes. Obama wants to negotiate with Amanutjob? Are you kidding? The US could negotiate with other countries with nukes because they were logical. This guy doesn't believe that Israel has a right to exist and the holocaust didn't happen. He sponsors terrorist groups. This is pretty scary stuff.
I think it is time to break out the "War IS the answer" bumper stickers. We need to drop 30 or 40 GBU penetrators on all Iran’s nuke sites. It’s obvious that the sanctions aren’t working.
To the UN and its newly released report I would say "Duh! You just figured that out? Why don’t you folks go back to your global warming “hard science”".
Of course Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Why would they need to build nuclear reactors to produce energy when they have some of the largest oil reserves in the world? Iran has no shortage of energy resources. Their enrichment of uranium is for the purpose of developing nuclear weapons, and this shouldn't fool anyone. Israel has every right to defend itself against this belligerent regime, by launching a preemptive strike if necessary.
Americans also believe that the next stop for US Armed Forces is Iran...
I'm not convinced that Iran has nuclear weapons but even if they do, do they have the means to deliver? And even if they have the means to deliver, are they likely too?
Why else would they go nuclear? They don't have an energy demand that would warrant a nuclear power program. They want weapons.
If this country really wants to eliminate this threat from Iran we need to send Sarah Palin over there. Let her talk to the government. That'll do it hehehe
60% want the U.S. to use economic and diplomatic efforts to get Iran to shut down their nuclear program. When again was it that Obama was going to get tough on Iran? And when was he going to get China and Russia to also get tough on Iran? Is he waiting for something?
And regardless of whether or not Bush tried individuals like the underware bomber in civilian courts, 60% now agree they should be tried in military courts. It is a good idea now and going forward period, if that represents change, I thought Obama was all about change.
Iran will probably blow themselves up first because their so called Government is imploding.
How about israel? a country that has noclear warheads, refuses an investigation and refuses to be a signatory to any non proliferation treat. I suppose we should not even allow Iran to even think of using anuclear technology as much as we denided and destroyed Iraq on the Alter of Zionism.
If CNN is going to post non-scientific polls, do you guys think you could at least try to ensure grammatical accuracy? Please fix the headline of this article, you are making the US look bad.
Wow...I guess all that cowboy diplomacy of chest-thumping, insulting, threatening and sanctioning from Bush and Cheney worked wonders huh? I mean, at least when we force Iran to build their nukes more secretively, everyone can live under a more believable illusion of safety, right? Who cares if what we're doing actually makes Iran WANT to build nukes MORE and provides them with the proof they need that building them is necessary to protect their sovereignty? They're brown, non-christian and don't speak English so they should be doing what we say, right GOPers? Freekin morons.
"The survey also indicates that support is dropping for how President Obama handled the attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner landing in Detroit on Christmas Day, but the change seems unrelated to the controversy over reading the suspect his rights."
That's interesting that the article makes a point of speculating this way. In fact, the drop in approval for this Administration's handling of this situation seems closely tied to the stream of information that comes out about the suspect's interrogation. That's exactly why public approval is dropping.
"More than six in ten think the U.S. should take economic and diplomatic efforts to get Iran to shut down their nuclear program, with only a quarter calling for immediate military action...But if economic and diplomatic efforts fail, support for military action rises to 59 percent, with only 39 percent opposing military action under those circumstances,"
Which begs two questions:
1) What would constitute "those circumstance" where diplomatic and economic sanctions fail"?
2) How exactly have we not reached that point yet?
Whether or not Iran has nukes is none of our business, and making "economic and diplomatic efforts to get Iran to shut down their nuclear program," let alone suggesting taking "immediate military action," is simply American arrogance.
This double standard–that it's okay for Israel to have nukes but it's not okay if Iran does–is one of the reasons a third or more of the world doesn't like the US. We really need to stop trying to meddle in the affairs of other countries in other parts of the world.
"But if economic and diplomatic efforts fail, support for military action rises to 59 percent, with only 39 percent opposing military action under those circumstances,"
So 59% of this country is 100% retarded? Shocker. Hint: Iran's military preparedness is NOT the same as Iraq's.
One must wonder why CNN and the rest poll for opinions regarding matters that actually take knowledge and even expertise to understand. I wouldn't be suprised if that same 59% (then some) couldn't tell you where Iran is on a map and would look at you funny if you asked them whether Iran is run by a Shiite or Sunni regime. "Sh-tite and Sunny? Well gooooollleeee, what in tarnation is them? Excuse me a moment, I need to hold JimBob's 'Obama is Hitler' sign for a second while he refills the moonshine flask."
Cue dueling banjoes....
If Iran had nuclear weapons Israel would have already taken them out.
If Iran had nuclear weapons they intended to use against nations, they would have blown up Israel a long time ago.
They may be crazy but they aren't stupid. They know they would never get away with it without putting the power they have, and crave, in serious jeopardy.
There is no need to bring irrationale paranoia into our foreign policy.
Be strong, resourceful, vigilant, and innovative. Seek credible intelligence.
Beyond that, why can't we just leave the crackpots alone?
I wonder why CNN's progressive polling director didn't ask what signals economic and diplomatic failure??
Sooner or later Iran will have nukes. Sooner or later we're going to have to take Iran out. I hope we don't wait too long. It's not possible to negotiate this threat away. You can't negotiate with maniacs.
Let's not use polls of opinions, this time, to support attacking a country. We did that in Iraq and discovered we were wrong, and look what happened - the region became destabilized and became a recruiting ground for terrorists. The world is significantly less safe now than it was before our invasion, mostly because of that invasion.
Iran may have an evil government, but what would happen if we attacked? Let's hope our government actually thinks this one through before acting.
This is ridiculous how can 71% of America be so misinformed!?
Yea and their all TEA BAGGERSand GOP, RNC, what a BOGUS POLL Cnn, that is PURE NONSESE, where do you Come with these POLLS of LIES........More GOP /CNN Fear Tactics, where is TED TURNER,come Back TED, COME BACK, Stop these NO PROOF POLLS Cnn, you looking real STUPIDLY........
The really big question is do they have ones that WORK.
Why can Israel have nukes but Iran can't ?
While i do not know if Iran has a nuclear weapon yet, there is no question, that is their intent, and that once they have it, they will become a threat to world peace......if we can really say there is any peace in the world, now.
Get Glen Beck to go over there and shoot him in the head !!!
Well duh, now if only our President would believe it and stop trying to be their best friend!
Think they have nuclear weapons? I don't get it. Either they do or they don't. This isn't an opinion questions. It's not "majority rules." There is such a thing as an absolute truth. This should not be a poll question.
It's obvious – we must immediately go to war.
Did the polls say we should use nucular (sic) missiles or just boring old conventional weapons. While I realize you are just as dead, I personally think that vaporized sends a much stronger message.
If the Russians or Chinese get angry, we can beat our chests and tell the world that, "We're # 1" and tell them we have plenty more where those came from.
Add me to the list of those who believe thay have a nuke. Add me to the list that says if WE don't do something, Israel will and we won't have much of a choice about what to do.
This rhetoric without proof is misleading and dangerous. I remember similar rhetoric being discussed and portrayed by George Bush, Dick Cheney and Colin Powell with regards to Saddam Hussein and Iraq. It proved to be wrong and they lied to the nation and the world. The USA should not be the nation executing their military might on the world because the world does not agree with us. If Israel feels threatened, then they should do a preemptive strike and not us.
How many wars does this nation need to be engaged in at the same time; Iraq, Afghanistan and then Iran? If you think America is in debt now, then watch our economy and debt, if we conduct a war against Iran. Why not just impose greater sanctions and isolate the Iran regime.
This story just underscores how uninformed the American public still is. Reminds me of the "polls" before the war in Iraq. I imagine the percentage of people who believe Saddam was involved in 9'11 is still disturbingly high.
Another tribute to the ignorance and gullibility of the American public.
Same folks who think Saddam flew all 3 planes, and still made it back to Baghdad in time for executions.
We have met the enemy, and they are US!!
Don't think so.
Yeah, and Hitler wasn't really training an army... just a bunch of groundskeepers he was training to march with shovels on their shoulders. Let's go back to sticking our heads in the sand, shall we?
Let Israel take them out and we play dumb. Should be an easy one for Obama.
and according to the republican party they are aimed right at your house here in America, and ready to tear your family apart.
Iran is like a petulant child testing the boundaries. They need to be punished to be put back in their place. They are not smart enough to learn on their own or through others.
Make Iran's nucleur program a stone age parking lot BEFORE it's too late.
What great rhetoric but where will the money to wage yet another war come from? Are Americans willing to step up and pay more in taxes to finance this new war? Since 59% support military action against Iran if sanctions don't bring about the desired results, I'm sure they won't have any problem putting their money where their mouth is.
I guess 71% of the population likes pulling facts out of their behinds.
Hellooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Iran is not the problem, anybody ever gave a thought to Pakistan, who has a fraction of its country controlled by crazy radicals, and who already has a nuclear weapon???
The average American re-elected Bush (Bush stole the first one with corrupt supreme judges or bought out judges) so they have no credibility. Let the real professionals in Government handle this... All yeah, I forgot the government is bad and not efficient, isn't that right rethuglicans? Thats right, government is out of control, wants to put laws on our women's body, and are lyers... ONLY WHEN RETHUGLICANS ARE IN CHARGE!!!
This just prove that American by intellectual capacity are "STUPID PEOPLE" Are You fooking kidding me???? Where did CNN found these nut heads?? Interior of Alabama?????
In an two wars, with economy problems and rising unemployment, defict and no money to extend unemployment benefits, you want to start another war???? Good Grief!!!
What percentage of people thought that Iraq had something to do with 9/11 or thought that Sadam was acquiring nuclear weapons. It seems that perception and reality are completely two different things.
They may very well have nukes, but they will be in good company. Many of the surrounding nations have nukes anyone of them at any given time feel that they are justified in there use. Does it worry me they may have them yes, but the fact Israel has them actually scare me because we know they have no self controll and respond way out of proportion to the situation. This with the fact Israel is currently ticking off many of the other nuclar powers in the area seems like a much more dier set of circunstances.
misleading deliberately orchestrated polls.
Media is once again trying to divert Americans attention from the assasination in Dubai.
Iran would never have the capability of attacking US. The more we threaten them the more chances that they might develop a small nuclear device down the road.
However the war mongers here like to pounce on every straw to beat their drums.
Ask Obama and other democrats, they do not think they have nuclear weapons, surely if he did he would not use them on America, would he democrats?
Not surprising at all. People in this country rarely display knowledge or intelligence enough to have an opinion. At the height of dirty bomb hysteria about 4 years ago whole 18% of polled Americans could explain what radiation is.
This is sad. Most people don't know when to admit they're ignorant. That is the unfortunate drawback of democracy. Every idiot is entitled to a vote and an opinion. We know that Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapons yet. All we know is that they’re now enriching uranium.
The people who want to go to war are probably the same bunch who were rallying for war in Iraq after 911 and then started complaining when it lasted longer than a year. If we go to war with Iran, it will be Iraq x 300. Why? Because the proportion of Sunnis to Shiites is way out of whack in Iran. We’ll have to wipe out a third of the population, at least. We’ll make Martyrs out of every casualty they suffer.
The last thing we need is another war with an Islamic regime.
And?
How many other hate-spreading war mongers have nukes? Bush had PLENTY, remember?
I'm a big believer in having a strong defense of America, but I find it so hypocritical of anyone in the US to say that no one else can have nukes when we're the only country to have used nukes in a war. Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
So 6 in 10 people think the U.S. has to shut them down? Why is it always the responsibility of the U.S. to police the world? We have nukes too, who's going to police us?
Another convenient poll, I doubt very much that Americans, no matter how they are lied to this time, would want to be involved in another war.
All this hemming and hawing over the past dozen years or so, I'm not surprised that the word hadn't gotten out before today.