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 Research

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

PAAIA Survey TrendsI. 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

Iranian American Links to IranThe 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% Grandparents 32% A parent 44% Siblings 72% 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

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 distributionConsular visitation and support for Americans arrested or

detained in Iran Welfare & Whereabouts case support for Americans reported

missing in IranGuidance 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

• 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

Public Diplomacy - People to People Ties

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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

• Diplomatic presence can enhance U.S. broadcast programming to Iran by conveying a more accurate feel of the Iranian street

© PAAIA 2014

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

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.

© PAAIA 2013

2008 20110

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Support Oppose

• 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 ServicesEnhances U.S. public diplomacy

• Iranian Americans represent a key constituency that can help advocate for this proposal

Conclusion

© PAAIA 2014

Thank you!