Butt out of Iran's affairs, world powers told

BUT OUT: Respondents to latest Arabian Business poll have said world powers should leave Iran alone and stop threatening it will sanctions. (Getty Images)

World powers should but out of Iran's affairs and stop threatening it with further sanctions over its disputed nuclear programme, the majority of respondents to the latest Arabian Business spot poll have said.

Just under 50 percent of those polled rejected further sanctions against the Islamic republic and agreed that "the international community should leave Iran alone".

The results come a week after the United States won Britain's backing for tighter sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, with the European Union also poised to come onboard.

Iran has repeatedly refused to stop enriching uranium, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons, claiming its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes.

Iran has described its right to enrich uranium as a "red line" that it would never compromise on, despite a fresh offer of enhanced incentives from world powers last week to entice the Islamic republic to stop the activity.

Just over 15 percent of respondents to the Arabian Business poll did not back further sanctions against Iran, but agreed the country should halt its nuclear programme.

The United Nations has so far imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran, mainly targeting individuals, some firms with military links and several banks.

The United States has imposed its own sanctions on Iran, with US companies banned from doing business with the country, and has been increasing pressure on international companies with operations in the United States.

A further 17 percent of respondents did back further sanctions against Iran, agreeing that the country "needs to heed international calls, and sanctions are the best option".

Close to 20 percent of respondents thought that sanctions did not go far enough and military force might be the only way to stop Iran's nuclear drive.

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