This document summarizes surveys of the Iranian American community conducted between 2008-2013 on their views regarding U.S.-Iran relations and the establishment of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Iran. Key findings include: the community is well-educated and maintains close ties to family in Iran; a majority support expanded consular services and non-immigrant visas through a U.S. Interests Section in Tehran; and enhancing cultural/educational exchanges and public diplomacy is viewed as important for improving understanding between the American and Iranian people.

1. Reestablishing a U.S.
Diplomatic Presence in Iran:
Perspectives of the Iranian
American community
Surveys conducted by
Zogby Research
Services &
George Mason
University Center for
Social Science Researc

2. Understanding the Iranian American Community
• In order to represent the Iranian American community, it is important
to understand their views
• PAAIA has gathered accurate information by conducting five national
scientific public opinion surveys of Iranian Americans
• Surveys are conducted by telephone using a Random Digit Dial
(RDD)
• Methodologies approved by the American Association for Public
Opinion Research
• Representative sample of 400 Iranian American respondents with
+/- 5% margin of error
• Latest survey was conducted by George Mason University in
February 2013
© PAAIA 2014

3. PAAIA Survey Trends
I.
Demographic information: well-educated, fairly affluent,
religiously diverse, and secular
II.
Internal developments in Iran and the state of U.S.-Iran
relations are core issues for Iranian Americans
III. The community's top issue in U.S.-Iran relations is promotion of
human rights and democracy
IV. A supermajority want Iran to be a secular democracy and the
current theocratic system has close to no support
V.
Despite overwhelming support for a secular democracy in Iran,
less than a third support regime change as a policy option, and
almost two-thirds oppose a military strike on Iran’s nuclear
facilities
© PAAIA 2014

4. Iranian American Links to Iran
The Iranian American community, created largely through
immigration over the last three decades, maintains deep ties to
the people of Iran.
• Over 80% indicate that they have family in Iran




26%
32%
44%
72%
Grandparents
A parent
Siblings
Cousins, aunts or uncles
• Two-thirds maintain stable communication with family and friends
in Iran
• Over two-thirds follow news from Iran either very closely or
somewhat closely
• Around 10% of Iranian Americans have never been to Iran
© PAAIA 2014

5. Iranian American Links to Iran
• Survey results show that a significant number of Iranian Americans
(30% - 40%) travel to Iran once every 2-3 years
• These American citizens and legal residents would benefit from
expanded U.S. Consular support inside Iran
• American Citizen Services includes:
 U.S. Passport issuance and renewals
 Social Security check distribution
Consular visitation and support for Americans arrested or
detained in Iran
 Welfare & Whereabouts case support for Americans reported
missing in Iran
Guidance on proper compliance with existing economic
sanctions
• U.S. Interests Section may also process non-immigrant visas
facilitating family reunions for Iranian Americans and helping with
medical emergencies

6. Public Diplomacy - People to People Ties
• Surveys show a large majority of Iranian Americans support facilitating
greater understanding between the peoples of U.S. and Iran as well as
improving understanding of Iranian culture
• A significant number support high quality media broadcasting to Iran
• U.S. Interests Section can play important role in enhancing U.S. public
diplomacy programming
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Facilitate
Understanding
Between Peoples
(2008)
© PAAIA 2014
Improve
Understanding of
Iranian Culture (2008)
Role of Diaspora to
Support Media
Broadcasting to Iran
(2009)

7. Public Affairs Section
U.S. Interests Section in Iran should have Public
Affairs Section.
•
Engage Iranian people directly to help advance U.S.
policy positions
•
Support U.S. – Iran academic and cultural exchanges
 Public Affairs officer with experience in cultural
diplomacy should be assigned to Interests Section
•
© PAAIA 2014
Diplomatic presence can enhance U.S. broadcast
programming to Iran by conveying a more accurate feel of
the Iranian street

8. Student Visas
• Policy of U.S. to engage and encourage Iranian students to study
in the U.S.
 Diplomatic commodity
 Boost U.S. economy
• Recent report from Washington Institute finds that despite
overtures, Iranian students still face financial, logistical, and
consular challenges
 Greatest frustration is visa acquisition process
•
U.S. Interests Section boon to Iranian students
 Financial
 Women students
 Men who have not served in military
© PAAIA 2014

9. U.S. Interests Section in Iran
Iranian Americans strongly support the establishment of
a U.S. Interests Section in Tehran that would provide
consular services and issue U.S. visas, but would not
constitute the resumption of diplomatic relations with
Iran.
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
2008
© PAAIA 2013
Support
Oppose
2011

10. Conclusion
• Iranian Americans remain close to the people of Iran and
want to see a democratic Iran that is open to the world
• Survey results show that a large majority of Iranian
Americans support the opening of a Tehran U.S. Interests
Section
 Provides American Citizenship Services
 Enhances U.S. public diplomacy
• Iranian Americans represent a key constituency that can
help advocate for this proposal
© PAAIA 2014

11. Thank you!