Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA)

Since 2008, PAAIA has commissioned nationally recognized pollsters to survey Iranian American attitudes on important topics ranging from domestic issues to foreign policy preferences.

The first of their kind, these national public opinion surveys advance the voice of the Iranian American community by presenting accurate scientific data to policymakers and the media in order to better their understanding of Iranian Americans. PAAIA uses the results of these annual surveys to inform our policy stances as we advocate on behalf of the Iranian American community.

Executive Summary

From October 7–24, 2025, SurveyUSA conducted a national survey of Iranian Americans on behalf of Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) with a conservative median credibility interval: ±5.2%. Presented below is a summary of the findings, followed by data tables, with trend data when available, and a narrative of the results.

Family Ties and Communication

An overwhelming 88% of Iranian Americans report having family members currently living in Iran, including 26% with immediate relatives such as parents, siblings, or children. Among those who immigrated within the past 25 years, nearly 50% still have immediate family there.
Communication with family members in Iran remains frequent despite obstacles. Sixty-one percent speak with relatives at least several times a year, and 43% do so monthly or more often.

Most rely on digital platforms to stay in touch:

67% use messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram
38% use video calls such as Skype or FaceTime
36% use social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram
32% rely on traditional phone calls, especially older respondents
9% use email

The Islamic Republic’s restrictions on internet access have taken a heavy toll: 40% of Iranian Americans say the regime’s actions—slowing speeds, banning apps, or cutting access—have very negatively affected their ability to communicate, and another 33% say they’ve been somewhat affected.

Travel and Visitation Challenges

Travel between Iran and the United States remains difficult. Among those with family in Iran, 59% report their relatives faced major visa problems—43% were unable to secure visas—while another 16% of respondents say they faced significant hurdles. Only 15% say family members obtained travel visas easily.

Support for the Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA) is overwhelming, with 75% in favor and only 13% opposed. The Act would create a new visa category for short-term family visits.

The survey reports that just 27% of Iranian Americans support President Trump’s broad travel ban on Iran, but 67% favor a more limited version that would target Iranian regime officials and their family members while allowing ordinary Iranians to study, work, or visit the United States.

About one-third (30%) of Iranian Americans have never been to Iran. Another 22% of respondents have not returned since emigrating. Of the remaining respondents who do visit Iran, 30% report at least one visit, while 13% say they travel every two to three years, and 4% once a year or more.

U.S. State Department travel warnings play a role in decision-making: 34% of respondents say the warnings significantly affect their plans, and 23% say the warnings have some influence.

Discrimination in the United States

More than half of Iranian Americans (53%) say they or someone close to them has experienced discrimination in the U.S. because of their ethnicity or national origin. The problem is most acute among younger Iranian Americans (63% of those aged 18–34).

Of those reporting discrimination:

77% cite social discrimination
54% report bias by airlines or airport security
35% have faced employment or business discrimination
29% have encountered discrimination by immigration officials
28% have experienced it from law enforcement

Priorities on U.S.–Iran Relations

Iranian Americans’ top priorities towards U.S.-Iran relations are promoting regime change (44%) and promoting human rights and democracy in Iran (41%). Other concerns include lifting sanctions (22%), preventing regional conflict (21%), limiting Iran’s support for terrorism (19%), negotiating a new nuclear deal (16%), and tightening sanctions (14%).

When it comes to deal making with Iran, a plurality (38%) favor a comprehensive new U.S.–Iran agreement that addresses nuclear, regional, and human rights issues. A minority (17%) want a return to the 2015 nuclear deal, and nearly a third (32%) prefer no deal at all.

When asked how the U.S. government should support the Woman, Life, Freedom movement: 22% favor recognizing and advocating for political prisoners and human rights defenders 16% favor expanding visas for Iranians fleeing persecution

13% support internet access initiatives

13% support sanctions on human rights violators 9% favor aid to nonviolent activists

15% say the U.S. should stay out of the movement
U.S. Airstrikes and Iran’s Future Government

Iranian Americans are evenly divided over the June 2025 U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities: 45% agree with the strikes and 44% disagree. Among opponents, 56% cite fear of civilian casualties as their main concern.

When asked what type of government they believe would work best in Iran, a majority (55%) favor a parliamentary democracy or republic, while 17% support a constitutional monarchy. A very small number of respondents prefer a reformed Islamic republic (6%) or maintaining the current system (3%).

Full Report Here