Washington ( CNN ) -- Three-quarters of Americans say they favor direct diplomatic negotiations with Iran in an attempt to prevent that country from developing nuclear weapons , according to a new national poll . Just one in five questioned in a CNN/ORC International survey released Monday morning say they opposed negotiations with Tehran . President Barack Obama spoke by telephone Friday with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani -- the first direct conversation between leaders in Washington and Tehran since 1979 . The call has raised the possibility that a deal can be reached over Iran 's nuclear program . Obama , Netanyahu meeting comes with baggage . Describing the conversation as a starting point , Obama said he believes an agreement is possible regarding Iran 's nuclear ambitions that could lead to better relations . `` Large majorities in all major demographic categories favor negotiations with Iran over their nuclear program , including 87 % of Democrats and 68 % of Republicans . This is nothing new for the U.S. public -- in 2009 , virtually the same number of Americans said they favored negotiations with Iran , '' says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland . The poll was conducted for CNN by ORC International September 27-29 , with 803 adults nationwide questioned by telephone . The survey 's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points . Iranians warm to possible thaw in relations . Israel says man spied for Iran , carried photos of U.S. Embassy . Report : Shoe thrown at Iran 's President Rouhani . CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks Friday with U.S. President Barack Obama . CNN/ORC International survey : Only 1 in 5 Americans oppose negotiations with Tehran . Many in U.S. fear Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons .