Zogby Poll: Iranians Say Israel Shouldn't Exist

While Iran's nuclear program grabs headlines around the world, a new Reader's Digest-Zogby International survey reports that Iranians (41 percent) said reforming their national economy so it operates more efficiently is more important than nuclear capability.

A smaller number, 27 percent, said the country's top priority should be to develop an arsenal of nuclear weapons, and 23 percent said the top goal for their government should be to expand the freedoms of its citizens.

Iranians said they believe their country should lead the region "diplomatically and militarily" — 56 percent supported this view, and only 12 percent said their country should not be the dominant regional power. Nearly equal percentages of respondents want Iran to become more secular and liberal (31 percent) as want the country to become more religious and conservative (36 percent).

On one question, Iranians showed almost total agreement, regardless of age or gender. When asked if the state of Israel is illegitimate and should not exist, 67 percent agreed and only 9 percent disagreed.

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