A new survey suggests that most Iranian Americans favor diplomacy over war in resolving tensions between Washington and Tehran, challenging widespread narratives portraying strong diaspora support for the ongoing US-led military campaign.

The poll, conducted by Zogby Analytics for the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) between February 27 and March 5, surveyed 505 Iranian Americans across the United States.

According to the results, 61.6 percent of respondents support diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and a negotiated settlement, while the remainder expressed varying levels of support for military action.

The findings come amid escalating aggresion by the US-Israeli alliance on Iran, and growing debate within the United States over the direction of Washington’s policy toward Tehran.

Iranian American community divided over war

The survey also showed that the Iranian American community is deeply divided over the war itself.

According to the poll, 49.3 percent of respondents opposed the US decision to launch military strikes on Iran, while 48.9 percent supported the attacks, highlighting the narrow margin separating the two positions.

Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, said the results contradict common assumptions that Iranian Americans broadly support the war.

“If anything, a lot of people were surprised because they thought Iranian Americans overwhelmingly favored this war,” Abdi said during a press briefing.

“In fact, it is divided in half. There was really no mandate for the war.”

Concerns over civilian casualties and instability

Respondents who opposed the war cited concerns about harm to civilians and the potential destabilization of Iran, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, some supporters of the aggression said they hoped it could lead to regime change in Iran or reduce perceived threats related to the country’s nuclear program.

Abdi said the debate within the diaspora has become increasingly polarized, warning that certain voices have attempted to present war as the only legitimate policy position.

“Prominent Iranian Americans have tried to shape public perceptions about this war by proclaiming that war is the only path and that anybody who disagrees is an Iran regime lobbyist,” he said.

Calls to counter misinformation and intimidation

Abdi also warned that the Iranian American community has faced significant pressure and intimidation during the conflict, particularly in online spaces.

“This trauma has been preyed upon by outside interests who want war,” he said, arguing that it is important to highlight the diversity of views within the diaspora.

He called on Iranian Americans to participate openly in political debate without fear of harassment.

“We think it's really important to expose to the public where our community actually stands and encourage members of our community to stand up and be vocal,” Abdi said.

Debate grows as war continues

The poll comes as the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran continues to escalate across West Asia following the bombardment of Iran on February 28.

Since the start of the war, Iran has carried out multiple waves of retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting US military bases and Israeli-occupied territories, describing the strikes as responses to the ongoing aggression.

The confrontation has also triggered major political debate within the United States, where lawmakers and analysts have questioned the long-term objectives of the war and warned of the economic and geopolitical risks of a prolonged conflict.

Rising global energy prices and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, have further heightened international concern over the potential consequences of continued escalation.

Source:Websites