NEW YORK, March 11: Support for tough measures against Iran’s nuclear programme has fallen in 13 out of 21 countries, says a survey released on Tuesday.

Compared to results from a June 2006 BBC World Service Poll, support for economic sanctions or military strikes has declined significantly, including in countries that were previously among the highest supporters of tough action.

Support for these measures has dropped 10 points in Australia (52 per cent to 42 per cent), nine points in Britain (43 per cent to 34), nine points in Germany (46 per cent to 37), seven points in Canada (52 per cent to 45), six points in the United States (66 per cent to 60) and 30 points in Mexico (46 per cent to 16).

Steven Kull, Director of PIPA said : “It appears that people in many countries are interested in ramping down the confrontation with Iran, while still using UN inspectors to ensure that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons.”

Only three countries show an increase in support for economic sanctions or military strikes: an increase of nine points among Israelis (62 per cent to 71 per cent), six points among South Koreans (47 per cent to 53), and 12 points among Turkish respondents (21 per cent to 33).

Most interviews were conducted following the release of the US National Intelligence Estimate that concluded Iran had stopped pursuing nuclear weapons in 2003.