IRAQ shows the dangers of military action undertaken from ideological motives rather than an informed assessment of reality on the ground, and bombing Iran would risk retaliation on both Israel and the West, and further inflaming (Shi’ite) Muslim opinion “on the street” (Revealed: Israel plans nuclear strike on Iran, News, Mission Iran, Focus, last week).

In addition, this comes just when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s party was defeated by more moderate ones in elections in December, suggesting that Iranians are becoming impatient of his aggressive anti-western and anti-Israel statements. We need an authoritative assessment of the evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, and the likely timescale.

D Mike Barnes
Watford, Hertfordshire

TRY SOME DIPLOMACY: The use of a single nuclear weapon by Israel, of any yield, would cause uncontrollable proliferation. The public reaction in the countries rumoured to be along the attack route — Turkey, Syria and Saudi Arabia — would be extreme; it might easily destabilise Saudi Arabia, and the same could happen in Egypt. Given the size of Iran even several weapons would not be enough, and where would Israel stop? The hardliners in Iran would be given absolute control. It is not inconceivable that such an attack might even bring Sunni and Shi’ite together. Diplomacy is the better option.

David Diprose
Saundersfoot, Dyfed Sea

SAVING ISRAEL: As a Jew, I have been perturbed by Israel’s violations of international law and ethical standards. It seems nothing has been learnt from its recent disastrous adventure in Lebanon. It doesn’t seem to have occurred to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his generals how suicidal such an action would be. Do they imagine that the radioactive fall-out can be made to stop at a checkpoint, like a Palestinian farmer? When will the supposed friends of Israel realise that it needs to be saved from itself?

Stephanie Krayer
Lampeter, Ceredigion