Skip to main content

Poll: Iranians blame economic woes on corruption, not sanctions

A new poll shows Iranians have unfavorable views of the Biden administration, the Taliban and Saudi Arabia, but favorable views of Iran-backed militias in the region, as well as Russia and China.
Iran economy

A polling company released survey results Monday on Iranians’ views of the economy, the United States and more. 

The Toronto-based IranPoll conducted the poll with the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies. The data was gathered between Aug. 30 and Sept. 9. 

The poll, which was sent to Al-Monitor, found that 63% of those surveyed believed economic mismanagement had the biggest negative impact on the Iranian economy, while 34% felt foreign sanctions had the biggest negative effect. 

Many Iranians blame the country’s woes on mismanagement on the part of Islamic Republic authorities. One example was the July protests in the southwest Khuzestan province against poor access to drinking water. 

Nearly 75% of people said the economy was bad, with 54% describing it as very bad. On the other hand, 54% said that they expected the economy to improve somewhat in the next three years. 

Iran's economy is struggling at present, and the issue was a major focus in the June elections, which led to Ebrahim Raisi’s presidency. In addition to corruption, the economy has been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, sanctions and falls in oil prices

The poll also asked Iranians about their views on other countries’ policies towards Iran. On US President Joe Biden’s policies towards Iran, 67% described them as hostile. Overall, the unfavorable view of the United States was 85%. More than half of those polled said they had favorable views towards China and Russia, while nearly 90% had unfavorable views towards Saudi Arabia. 

Biden indicated a desire to improve relations with Iran upon becoming president in January, after the countries were openly hostile under former President Donald Trump. He has focused on rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal removed international sanctions on Iran in exchange for the scaling back of its nuclear program. Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions. Indirect talks in Vienna this year have so far failed to yield an agreement. 

Russia and China have historically had friendly relations with Iran, and both remain part of the JCPOA. Saudi Arabia is a historic rival of Iran, and the two back opposite sides in the war in Yemen. At the same time, the two have been holding bilateral talks this year aimed at repairing ties. 

The poll’s findings demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm on the nuclear deal. Around 73% of people said their view mostly resembled the following the statement: “The JCPOA experience shows that it is not worthwhile for Iran to make concessions, because Iran cannot have confidence that if it makes a concession world powers will honor their side of an agreement.”

IranPoll also asked Iranians about their views on various Iran-backed paramilitary groups in the Middle East. More than 67% had favorable views of Hezbollah in Lebanon, while more than 63% had favorable views of the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq. However, only 48% had favorable views of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to the poll. 

Finally, the pollsters asked about the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, and more than 88% of the respondents gave an unfavorable rating of the group.

Iranian politicians are divided on how to deal with the Taliban, which seized control of most of the country in August amid the US military withdrawal. Conservatives favor a warm approach to the group. Reformists want to support “resistance” fighters in Afghanistan’s Hazara Shiite community, which has historically faced oppression under the Taliban’s strict Sunni Islamist rule. 

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

The Middle East in your inbox Insights in your inbox.

Deepen your knowledge of the Middle East

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial