Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi is facing a dismal situation with only 28 percent of support; 87 percent claim that the Iranian economy is Iran’s number one problem. The results are not surprising given the deteriorating economic conditions since Raissi took office last August
An important factor contributing to the economic and social crisis facing the Islamic Republic of Iran is the sanctions of the United States in the absence of a nuclear agreement with the West. “The only factor that the Iranians thought could have a positive effect on the country’s future is a successful nuclear deal between Iran and the West, which could improve their economic situation,” the company that conducted the survey said in a press release.
The rating of support for Raisi is the lowest since 1997, when data on Iranian presidents began to be collected, according to the Washington-based consulting and surveying firm Stasis Consulting last Wednesday, when it published the results of a survey conducted between June 12 and 16.
The company conducted the survey using telephone questions, as the Iranian government does not allow foreign companies to conduct field research independently. The sample of 1,197 people aged 18 and over was included from each province in Iran. The results are not surprising given the deteriorating economic conditions since Raisi took office last August, and the media and citizens have sharply criticized the president due to the rolling economic chaos. This was reported by the television channel Iran International.
“The result of the survey shows that most Iranian citizens have mistrust of the government, are pessimistic about their future and are not happy with the direction of the government and the functioning of the president,” said Arash Ghouri, president of the polling company.
However, it is clear to most Iranians that a nuclear deal with the West will improve the situation of the average citizen. Iran has so far refused to respond to the US offer to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, limiting its plan in exchange for lifting sanctions imposed since 2018.
“Most Iranians (55 percent) believe that Iran should make an agreement with the West regarding Iran’s nuclear, compared to only 17 percent who explicitly oppose such an agreement. Younger Iranians, between the ages of 18 and 29, are more (60 percent) more likely to prefer the agreement.” Raisi was elected in June 2021 in the presidential election with the lowest turnout in the 43-year history of the Islamic Republic, with official results showing that 48% voted, but some critics claimed the real number was even lower.
The poll asked respondents about the low turnout and 46 percent answered “distrust of the regime” as the leading reason. Half of those who voted for Raisi will not run in the election again or will not vote for him again. “35% of respondents indicated that they sympathize with Ukraine, compared to only 12% who support Russia. A further 24% have no sympathy for any of the countries. The level of sympathy for Ukraine is higher among young Iranians between the ages of 18 and 29 (41 percent).”