Sample size in Brazil was 800, China 3,177, India 4,018, Japan 700, Mexico 1,200 and Pakistan 1,206. All respondents also clearly opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Countries from the original survey group who did not oppose Iran acquiring nuclear weapons are not shown here. Original interview question: In your opinion, which is more important - preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action OR avoiding a military conflict with Iran, even if it means they may develop nuclear weapons? Percentage points exceeding 100 percent are likely due to rounding.
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Global support for use of military force to prevent nuclear weapons in Iran 2012
This statistic shows results of a 2012 survey of 21 countries, asking whether they supported the use of military force with the purpose of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, or if would be better to avoid military conflict, even if it meant that Iran may develop nuclear weapons. 49 percent of respondents in Japan said they would rather accept a nuclear-armed Iran than use military force against them.
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Pew Research Center. (May 18, 2012). Should military force be used to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or should a nuclear-armed Iran be accepted? [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 27, 2026, from /statistics/226281/use-of-military-force-against-nuclear-weapons-development-in-iran/
Pew Research Center. "Should military force be used to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or should a nuclear-armed Iran be accepted? ." Chart. May 18, 2012. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 27, 2026. /statistics/226281/use-of-military-force-against-nuclear-weapons-development-in-iran/
Pew Research Center. (2012). Should military force be used to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or should a nuclear-armed Iran be accepted? . ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 27, 2026. /statistics/226281/use-of-military-force-against-nuclear-weapons-development-in-iran/
Pew Research Center. "Should Military Force Be Used to Prevent Iran from Developing Nuclear Weapons or Should a Nuclear-armed Iran Be Accepted? ." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 18 May 2012, /statistics/226281/use-of-military-force-against-nuclear-weapons-development-in-iran/
Pew Research Center, Should military force be used to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or should a nuclear-armed Iran be accepted? ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/226281/use-of-military-force-against-nuclear-weapons-development-in-iran/ (last visited July 27, 2026)
Should military force be used to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or should a nuclear-armed Iran be accepted? [Graph], Pew Research Center, May 18, 2012. [Online]. Available: /statistics/226281/use-of-military-force-against-nuclear-weapons-development-in-iran/