Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Photo: AFP
Most Iranians want US ties, recognize Israel - poll
Poll published in Wall Street Journal shows most Iranians willing to recognize Israel in the frame of agreement to restore relations with US
An overwhelming majority of Iranians, 70 percent, favor normal relations and trade with the United States, a nationwide poll conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow has found.
In return for normal relations with the US, most Iranians were willing to recognize Israel and Palestine as independent states, ending Iranian supports for armed groups in Iraq, and adopt a transparent nuclear policy, Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen wrote in the Wall Street Journal.
The poll also found that only 29 percent of respondents viewed developing nuclear weapons as a top national priority. By contrast, 88 percent said that improving the Iranian economy was a very important priority.
About 80 percent of those polled said they would allow full inspection of Iran's nuclear activities and vow not to develop nuclear arms in return for foreign aid.
Some 61 percent told Terror Free Tomorrow pollsters by phone that they were opposed to the rule of their supreme leader who rules according to religious laws and can not be replaced by popular vote. About 79 percent said they preferred to have their leaders elected by the people.
Only 11 percent said they were strongly opposed to having their leaders elected by popular vote.
