On Wednesday, January 25, the South Asia Center’s Future of Iran Initiative co-hosted a panel discussion entitled Iranian Attitudes on Iran-US Relations in the Trump Era with the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies, featuring Dr. Ebrahim Mohseni, Research Scholar, Center for International and Security Studies, University of Maryland, Ms. Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Co-Founder and Executive Director, International Civil Society Action Network, and Dr. Paul Pillar, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Center for Security Studies, Georgetown University. Acting Director of the Future of Iran Initiative, Barbara Slavin welcomed attendees, introduced the panelists, and moderated the discussion.

The transition of leadership in the United States and the one year anniversary of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)’s implementation served as the impetus for this new study. It is the latest study in a series for Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM) on Iranian and American attitudes about Iran’s nuclear program, the negotiations that led to the nuclear deal, and the country’s economic and security policies. Data for this study was collected in mid-December 2016 by IranPoll.com. 

The report summarizes the findings as follows:  1. enthusiasm for nuclear deal declines, while support for nuclear program stays high. 2. U.S. seen as actively obstructive, contrary to commitment under nuclear deal. 3. little appetite for renegotiating the nuclear deal. 4. strong support for fighting ISIS, but not for collaborating with the U.S. 5. majorities regard Russia, China, and Germany favorably, while France, Britain, and especially the United States are viewed unfavorably. 6. President Rouhani Losing Popularity as the May 2017 presidential elections approach.