The survey, conducted by CNN television and polling firm Opinion Research, found that 22 percent of Americans see the Islamic republic as an immediate threat and another 60 percent see it as a long-term threat.

Just 17 percent said Tehran posed not threat at all.

Asked whether US President Barack Obama's administration should hold talks with top Iranian leaders in the next few weeks, 59 percent said yes, while 40 percent said Washington should wait for unspecified Iranian policy changes.

The poll, which had an error margin of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points, collected its findings before the United States invited Iran to attend talks with major powers on ending its nuclear program.

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