In February 2021, most Americans and Iranians said that they supported the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the six major world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). But Iranians were skeptical that the United States would ever fully comply with the accord even if the Biden administration returned to the JCPOA, which President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. Polls conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the University of Maryland and IranPoll found that:
- A majority of Americans – 57 percent – said that United States should participate in the nuclear deal.
- A narrow majority of Iranians – 51 percent – said that they approved of the nuclear deal.
- A clear majority of Iranians – 69 percent – said that Tehran should comply with the JCPOA if the United States lifted sanctions. But only 37 percent said that the Biden administration was likely to fully abide by its obligations even if it returned to the accord.
- A plurality of Iranians – 47 percent – said that a mutual return to the JCPOA would make it easier to resolve tensions between the United States and Iran. But 42 percent said that it would have “no significant effect” on the relationship.
- A majority of Iranians – 62 percent – said that their government should not negotiate a separate agreement on Iran’s missile program even if the Biden administration returned to the JCPOA and lifted sanctions.
The following are findings from the poll.
