Dubai: After winning the support of Arabs seven years ago for its stand against Israel and the West, Irans popularity is now at its lowest point following its support for the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad, a poll revealed.The results of the poll, titled Looking at Iran: the Rise and Fall of Iran in Public Opinion, are based on interviews with nearly 20,000 citizens in 17 Arab and three Muslim countries Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
Irans support for Al Assad deemed the nail in the coffin of its popularity was one of the key findings of the poll conducted by Zogby Research Services (ZRS).
Irans popularity among Arabs started falling after Tehrans heavy-handed handling of protests following Mahmoud Ahmadinejads re-election in 2009. It continued to fall following Irans involvement in Iraq [and] Bahrain, the poll noted.
To put it in simple words, Irans position vis-a-vis Syria brought back to [Arab] minds the sectarian face of Iran, which Iran was trying to erase in the past few years, and attempting to present itself and [its ally in Lebanon] Hezbollah that they are open to the other, said Mahjoub Zweiri, an expert in Iranian affairs, and political science professor at Qatar University.
He added that Irans position on Syria and Iraq brought back the image that [the] country [is] acting according to sectarian bases.
By Gulf News
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