Positive Results: Iranians in Iran Polled About Iran Deal
An independent researcher, Amir-Esmaeil Bozorgzadeh, conducted an online poll shortly after the nuclear agreement was made between Iran and the P5+1. The sample was compiled by questioning 2,050 respondents who currently live in Iran, and was fielded between July 27th and 29th, 2015. The study is designed to provide a glance on general sentiment in Iran towards the nuclear deal.
The results of the poll indicate that Iranians are positive all across the board in terms of the optimistic road the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action promises. This is understandable given that 88% state that over the past several years, sanctions have had a negative impact on the quality of their lives (50% state very negative).
While restriction of access to channels of goods and/or services, only education was left comparatively unaffected at 50%. Between 70-80% of those polled feel severely restricted in terms of access to everything from travel to medical products. Overall, 89% of Iranians believe the deal has had a positive effect on world perception towards Iran and they expect foreign trade and the technology industry to benefit the most from the proposed deal.
There is still however an air of uncertainty as the deal awaits ratification and sanctions are officially lifted: About half (54%) of respondents consider the agreement to be permanent and will not be broken. They also don’t expect the benefits to rollout overnight and influence their lives on a personal level. And 67% say that the positive effects of sanctions relief will not happen very soon while 26% are undecided.
The demographics consisted of an educated audience, 52% of which possess a bachelors degree and 25% a masters degree. 41% are between 25-34, and 47% between 35-54. The majority (87%) of respondents are male, 30% are reportedly single, and 65% married. 68% are employed full-time, 13% of which report a monthly household income of less than 1 million toman, 33% report 1-2 million toman per month, 34% report 2-5 million toman per month, while 13% report an income of 7 million toman (or higher) per month. In terms of location, 52% live in urban Tehran while the remaining segments are scattered throughout the rest of the country (i.e.: 3% in Mashad, 3% in Shiraz, 2% in Tabriz, 2% in Rasht, etc.).
The sample was sourced from a database of double opt-in subscribed respondents, which in English means that Iranian internet users completed a profiling questionnaire that registered them as an active participant in an ongoing online survey. They later clicked on an activation link that was sent to their registered email, confirming their identity and decision to participate.
