A recent survey conducted by the Reagan Institute indicates that American opinions on U.S. policy towards Iran are nearly evenly divided. The survey, conducted from May 26 to June 3, found that 39% of respondents support a negotiated settlement that allows the current Iranian government to remain in power with verifiable limits on its nuclear and missile programs, while 36% prefer regime change to a government more favorable to the U.S. Additionally, 16% favor a weakened Iranian regime, and 8% were undecided.
The survey highlights the political challenges faced by President Donald Trump as his administration engages in a newly signed memorandum of understanding with Iran, aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions. Among Republicans, 50% favored regime change compared to 25% who supported a negotiated settlement. In contrast, 52% of Democrats preferred a negotiated settlement, with only 25% favoring regime change.
The Reagan Institute Summer Survey included 1,555 respondents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. The results were weighted to reflect demographic benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey. The memorandum establishes a 60-day negotiating period for a more comprehensive deal with Iran, addressing contentious issues including its nuclear program and commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.