Gallup poll shows that EU has lost its positive image in Iran

Nabi Sonboli[1]

 During the past decade while both EU and the US have increased their pressures and sanctions against Iran, at the same time they have tried to improve their image among Iranians. The result of Gallup poll in February and March 2011[2] shows that this strategy has failed. The poll shows that only 9% of Iranians approve UK and US leadership and Russia also has lost its image among Iranian people. Postponing Busher Nuclear power plant for several years and playing with Iranian card in its relations with the US reminds many Iranians of Russian policies during 18^th and 19^th centuries.  China and Turkey with 18% and 24% approval have better positions.

 I think Germany’s image among Iranians has suffered more than any other power. It is more than 100 years that UK has lost its reputation among Iranians and the US also lost its image after removal of democratic government of Mosadeq and bringing back the Shah dictatorship and then imposing sanctions and pressures on Iran during the past three decades. Germany had much better position among Iranians. Now, Gallup Poll shows that only 11% of Iranians approve Germany’s leadership. As far as Germany has had no colonial background in Iran and has always had a positive image among Iranians, this sharp decrease in its reputation manifests that it is clearly the consequence of joining other powers in imposing sanctions and putting more pressures against Iran, especially those who have nothing to do with nuclear issue.

 This is also true about the EU.  Although EU as a political identity is a recent phenomenon, however as a cultural identity it has a long history and Iranians have always had a positive view toward that. Even during 1990s and early 2000s EU and the US had much better position among Iranians. In recent years on one side they have increased their pressures against Iran and on the other they have increased their public diplomacy efforts to convince the people in Iran that they are supporting their aspirations. Recent poll shows that the US and EU efforts in this regard has not been convincing for the majority of people and their public diplomacy has failed. Iranian people, in general, have lost their trust in global powers and anyone who comes to power in future has to take into account the public opinion. 

    Germany and Japan’s experience after the Second World War demonstrate that image is not something that you can make it easily. It takes several years and even decades to change a negative image. Taking inappropriate actions in recent years by Germany and EU has led to loss of their historical cultural asset. This poll clearly proves that the US and EU approach toward Iran is wrong and they need to reconsider in that. It is not possible to punish 75 million people for the crime that they have not committed and advocate that we are supporting your aspirations. Peace, prosperity and freedom are among the basic aspirations of all nations and they are not achievable through sanctions, tensions, military threats and cyber attack.  

[1]

. Nabi Sonboli is a scholar at the

(IPIS), which was founded in 1983 in Tehran as one of the first think tanks in Iran. He is currently representing the institute in Berlin, Germany.

[2]

. Few Iranians Approve of UK, U.S., EU Leadership,

http://www.gallup.com/poll/151304/Few-Iranians-Approve-Leadership.aspx