Students Oppose Military Action in Iran

Students overwhelmingly oppose military intervention in Iran and support President Carter's handling of the takeover of the American embassy there, according to a telephone poll conducted yesterday by The Crimson.

Of the 245 undergraduates surveyed, slightly more than 80 per cent opposed any form of military action and nearly 69 per cent agreed with Carter's actions since the Iranian students captured the embassy in Tehran and took 60 hostages a week ago.

"We can't send the seventh fleet in there--we have to negotiate. But we should apply as much military and economic pressure as possible," one student said.

Carter's announcement yesterday that the U.S. will stop direct purchasing of Iranian oil drew support from 68.3 per cent of the respondents. More than 45 per cent favored negotiations through the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) although many added the U.S. should not have accepted the PLO's offer of help until all other channels had been tried.

Although nearly 87 per cent of the students felt Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, the Shah of Iran, should not be turned over to the Iranians. 35.5 per cent favored deportation of the exiled leader.

Less than 5 per cent of the respondents said they favored deportation of Iranian students. "All students should be politically immune," one said.

Nearly half of the students said the crisis would have a significant impact on Carter's chances in the presidential election. Thirty-eight per cent felt the situation would have little effect, while 11 per cent remained undecided.

"I think it will probably break Connally and Reagan, because they've been taking old West postures about what we ought to do." James H. Mahan '81 said yesterday.

Many students offered a few suggestions to ease the crisis. Several students advocated freezing Iranian assets in the U.S. or refusing financial aid to students studying here.

"We should encourage protests by as many people as possible, the Arabs, the Pope, the PLO, Khomeini's sister...," one student said.