A poll by the Ronald Reagan Institute released on Thursday indicated broad public support for air strikes launched by the administration of President Donald Trump on three major Iranian nuclear sites on June 22.
“With respect to Iran, the public is not only supportive of the airstrikes conducted last summer, they are keen on several forceful responses to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear device,” the Washington DC-based organization, which is dedicated to advancing the late Republican president's ideals, said in its findings.
The Reagan National Defense Survey, conducted in the last week of October and first week of November by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company, examines American views on threats and US military posture toward allies and adversaries.
“Americans back further economic sanctions 73%, deploying US cyber capabilities 70%, renegotiating the Iranian nuclear deal 66% and even using US military force 54% in the service of thwarting Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” the findings added.
Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon but Israel, the United States and other Western powers doubt its intentions.
China remains the top perceived US threat 29%," the poll added, "followed by Russia 21% and North Korea 9%, with Iran at 3%."
77% Republican respondents supported the June strikes compared to 39% of Democrats.
“This year’s survey underscores a clear message: Americans believe US leadership is indispensable to global security and peace,” said Roger Zakheim, Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, said in a statement.
The United States held five rounds of negotiations with Tehran over its disputed nuclear program earlier this year after President Donald Trump set a 60-day ultimatum.
When no agreement was reached, Israel launched a surprise offensive on June 13, followed by US strikes on June 22 targeting key nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.
