Absolutely hilarious. America (and my own government) defends its possession of nuclear weapons because of the supposed great deterrent factor, yet they're terrified of Iran because they think they may attack. If they're going to attack, your weapons aren't deterring are they? It's just so incredibly illogical. Nuclear "deterrent" supporters love to spout on about Mutual Assured Destruction and the wonderful stand-off peace created by nuclear weapons possession. So America should be delighted that Iran gets them then, because then you get the stand-off you so believe in!

There's one reason why America's scared of Iran: because it knows its weapons don't deter but nobody over there has the guts to admit nuclear deterrence is a complete and utter fallacy. But a great plutonium business, so that's alright then.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

I am sick of anti-American bashers and Bush Bashers. If you don't like it hear in the US, then leave, go to Europe. We will be better off w/out you.

p, St. Louis, MO

The reality based threat to Israel is their adamant refusal over may decades to recognize the obvious truth that ONLY by a SC 242 based peace agreement with the Palestinians, that surely the vast majority of them would enthusiastically support, can Israel gain a reciprocal security and acceptance in the region. Iran has nothing to do with this matter. But without any constraint from the US of a meaningful sort, meaning a cut-off of funding and weapons until they come to their senses, this will not happen, and the death grip on electoral politics by the AIPAC legions remains in force. Blasting Iran for weapons they do not have would be the most colossal folly, not to mention a moral indictment equal to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

tarquinis , Seattle, USA

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the God squads of whatever persuasion - all of whom claim to possess the absolute truth - withdrew from public life and practised privately. Reason might then prevail and some problems might get solved.

Phil, Hong Kong,

What ever happen to a conern for wisdom and to eliminate suffering for the citizens of the world? Have the leaders in the White House and the leaders in Iran not learned from history.? Go for peace! Give up this ingnorance in the false belief that more force and military destruction will solve world probems. It is time for these ignorant, so called leaders, to leave the world stage.

bill harrison, Daytona Beach, usa fl.

To Shelley Halliday in Canada:

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not. These days it's hard to tell, considering that my 'progressive' comrades long ago abandoned any sense of reason.

But this line is classic: "et the oppressed Palestinians bring their new democracy to the middle east and allow the harmless political jousting they are experiencing in Palestine to bless the whole middle east. "

That's a nice way of saying "Let them all kill each other" isn't it? Pretty daring, and at the knife-edge of racist. You should be proud.

Ethan, Tampa, FL, USA

just a couple of remarks;
i`d rather have the US hegemony of the world then the Russian,Chinese or Islamist one...

the ones against any action against Iran; do you actually want a despotic regime with a huge nuclear capability where just one man,and one man alone can push the button??

you people are deluded beyond reason and must have read too many romantic"1001 Arabian Nights" stories..they do not exist..what exists in the middle east is a number of societies who are deliberately kept backwards by their mostly self-elected governments-and Iran here is a case in point!-with enormous violent potential for their own populations,where the public cannot and are not allowed to make even token gestures towards democracy...

it must be such a luxury to be sipping your starbucks while reading the times and commenting on what really happens in the middle east,instead of seeing through the mist of romanticism.

J.J.Rousseau, london, england

The problem is that Iran might well give nuclear weapons to Hamas or Hezbollah, and they aren't rational.

Nick Bott, London, UK

Maybe if the USA accepted some responsibility for it's actions, and said sorry to Iran for imposing the hated Shar on Iran, some years ago, instead of egging on the Iraq to invade Iran, and all the bellicose rhetoric, the Mullahs wouldn't be in power now.

The USA's mishandling of Cuba and Iran has kept their current leaderships in power, and provided a convenient scape goat for their failings.

The sooner that Iran is a Nuclear state the better.

Joining the Nuclear club forces you to be responsible, the consequences are too awful to contemplate if your not responsible, and it forces your enemies to negotiate with you in good faith.

Just as a reasonable point, The persians / Iranians, see themselves as the same people as Europeans, not the same as the Arabs. Should we not exploit the hand of friendship?

Suusi M-B, Harpenden,

The sooner Iran has nuclear weapons the sooner there will be peace in the Middle East . Has nobody heard the term "nuclear stand-off "where neither side would launch an attack because it would ensure its own destruction ? That situation would force Israel to the negotiating table and the main reasons for the aggravated contention in the Middle East would be diminished if not eliminated : the return of confiscated lands, an adequately sized area for a Palestinian homeland and the gradual integration of Palistinians into the nation of israel. This would require a shift in the mindset of the Israelis and it is not going to happen overnight. Would the groups being supported by Iran up the anti against Israel because of its nuclear capability? Tempted they may be but Iran`s desire to survive would put a stop to that. It would appear that Iran`s growing power is the key to peace in the Middle East and it`s a situation that Israelis should learn to recognise even if it is uncomfortable.

Adam, St.Albans,

Make Israel pay for its mistaken attack on the USS Liberty?
Don't attack Iran?
Bush's pointless chestbeating?
I can't say how funny this is but all you Bush-hating bigots out there certainly love your Jihad on the good ol US of A.
Wan't Sen Joe Lieberman saying that the US should attack Iran and his point was cleverly made since Iran is meddling in Iraq and need a bit of a thrashing so they will stop their terrorism killing innocent persons and US servicemen and women.
Also, Iran being the mainstayer for throwing petrol on the fire with its state sponsored terrorism via Syria on Lebanon and Israel can't you see that if don't make a wonder strike on Iran now, you will end up like Poland did in 1939. Iran keeps saying Israel is going to be wiped out and it is building an Islamo Nulcear weapons program....so is Bush saying North Korea and Iran are going to be wiped out? The truth here is you Fifth Columnists (the same as the Commies in Britain in WWII) deny Iran DPRK are warmongers!!

Daniel McAloon, Perth, Australia

I just hope a big war will be the reality check that brings the west out of its obsession with political correctness and halt its decline

Daniel K888, Melbourne, Australia

I read a very informative article in the Times recently about Iran. It was the story of a woman who opposed the regime... as a result she underwent horrific torture (including rape) and severe beatings. Such actions are common in Iran, which is essentially an Islamo-Facist state. Quite how the West is suposed to deal with such a country is problematic in the least. How do you negotiate with a regime with whom you have few if any shared values or perspetives? I hope for one that it doesn't come to a wider war in the area, but unless something changes it almost looks inevitable.

Andrew Brown, Derby , UK

This is just Iran's non-nuclear version of Israel's 'Sampson Option.'

A number of important voices in Israel have threatened a good portion of the planet by declaring that Israel will launch everything it has if it ever faces defeat.

But the press never features this far more dangerous threat.

There are not just rumors of Bush's attacking Iran, there are strong rumors about using a thermo-nuclear weapon on Iran's facilities.

Cheney is said to push for the insane idea, and some Pentagon generals are said ready to offer their resignations if it goes ahead.

The argument is that Iran's facilities are so well buried, conventional weapons won't reach them.

These are very dangerous people in power in America. It will be amazing if their legacy is anything less than destruction and instability in the world.

John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada

An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
Winston Churchill

When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck to crush him.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.
Benjamin Franklin

Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.
George W. Bush

I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace.
George W. Bush

America is a Nation with a mission - and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace - a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman. America stands for liberty, for the pursuit of happiness and for the unalienable right for life. This right to life cannot be granted or denied by government because it does not come from government, it comes from the creator of

A,Martin, Nash, Tenn,

Tsk tsk tsk Barrie - you should know better than to suggest the possibility that the US dollar will collapse. And gloating isn't becoming, either. In 2007 France is the Sick Man of Europe, with other European countries not too far behind. Considering that these countries depend on their deep economic ties with the US, it isn't too brilliant to wish for the demise of the US economy. Let me break it down for those of you who have a hard time connecting the dots: if America's economy is doing poorly, investors have less money to invest. If they have less money to invest, all of the companies on the stock market (including the European ones) get less investment capital. Less investment capital means bankrupcy or other problems for troubled economies. So lets not kid ourselves. Until Australia becomes an economic powerhouse, I'd seriously reconsider wasting your birthday wishes on the collapse of the dollar.

Polina, New York, NY, US

What a pity, we hanged to death the best deterrant against Iran - Saddam Hussein. Iranians virtually cowered when Saddam was alive. Nuclear arms in the hands of the most radical Islamists - Iran ! The world is now paying the price for the foolishness of two 'boyish' world leaders.

Mathew, Mumbai, India

"Shamkhani told the US journal Defense News "
Sabres- rattling.
Well jaw jaw is better than war war!
How serious a statement of real intent that was, we probably wont know for a long while.
How likely a strike by the US soon? with an election due and opinion softening within the US, I wont hold my breath.
Keep up the 'jaw jaw' chaps!

Frank H., London,

Bush is a tyrant! Ron Paul is correct, you don't force cooperation at the end of the barrel of a gun.
Indict Bush for treason now!

YuvbinDuped, Lake Geneva,, WI, USA

Iran's comments seem to follow President Putin's comments about Russian missiles being pointed at Europe. They (Iran) must have been feeling bold after those comments, but they also spill out the rhetoric every time the price of crude oil drops a couple of dollars and looks like sliding. So they say a few bold things against their neighbours and voila price of oil jumps a couple of dollars a barrel, ensuring increased revenues for Iran (one of the largest oil exporters in the world). Note that this time they also specifically said they would destroy oil installations in the Middle East. Today the price of crude jumped a couple of dollars straight after Iran's comments. QED.

Max, Manchester,

Preserving freedom is no picnic, especially when one country has to do all the work. Freedom is not free or possible unless it is protected. The simplistic viewpoint that America is the agressor and the hard nosed Iranian regime is the victim is simply ignorant. Iran using nuclear weapons on Israel and being able to black mail the entire world is more of a nightmare than the consequences of preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining nuclear weapons. The result of Iran with a nuke is a mushroom cloud rising over Israel or nations in Europe. This isn't a conservative or liberal problem. This is a problem that the entire freedom loving world has to deal with.

Tim , Washington , DC

Iran is a benevolent state with good intentions of bringing peace and justice to a broken world. They have a plan for equality, and to bring the religion of peace to the world so that all the countries can know what real justice and harmony means. There are no islam terrorists - only western governments that bomb their own citizens and blame islam. Israel is oppressive and evil and needs to be dismantled, to let the oppressed Palestinians bring their new democracy to the middle east and allow the harmless political jousting they are experiencing in Palestine to bless the whole middle east.
War is never the answer. Diplomacy and friendship will solve all problems - it is just never really tried. If we would all just submit to what is right, there would be no more problems, and Iran will help us all see that.

Shelley Halliday, Vancouver, Canada

Oil, Oil, Oil. That's what it's about is it not? Looks like they will have to look to other alternative forms of fuel for all that luxury transport out there, that certain individuals can't seem to live without in this age of greed! Greed! interesting word, is it not?

Steve B, Hereford, UK

1938 all over again.

Larry, NY, USA

Correct course of action here very obvious and very simple: Iran is the principal source of military, financial and 'moral' support to all cretinous theocratic regimes and movements in the region. It must be completely disarmed -- not only of nuclear capability, but of *all* military capacity. So, tell them that they must disarm voluntarily or be disarmed by EU, US and allies involuntarily. Assure them that any attempt to resist will be met with destruction of additional, nonmilitary infrastructure. Choice is therefore theirs -- loss of military capacity, or loss of *all* capacity. Either way, it will take no more than several days. No need for ground forces at all. That was the mistake with Iraq, from which we should remove ground forces now. Simply eliminate weapons held by cretins from the air.

Maynard, Oxford, UK

Not to worry ole Israel, these people,( Iranian pilots),
used to fly into the Rockies at least once a week, when I was stationed at Shaw AFB in the '70s! Reason why,.. they never could grasp the concept of flying 500mph and the Rockies STILL being five miles away, in four short seconds
boom! They hit a mountain. I cannot imagine the Israeli's pilots being that dense.

danial, Indianaplois, usa

Mr Thomas, analyse the situation at a deeper level.. where is the source of real instability..? Israel and USA Plc. with a little help from their British pals.. Keep out of the affairs of sovereign nations & their resources and you dont get your fingers / arms burned..

Andy, Dublin,

I don't care what anyone says. No-one has ever threatened to "wipe Iran off the Map". No one wants Iran's Pistachios. Iran isn't being plundered for Oil and when Shah was in Power Iran was a beautiful country with a thriving economy, tourism sector and a free press.

Iran with a nuclear capability would like to make us all Iranians and wouldn't hesitate to hold us hostage to do so.

Dan, London, UK

Doesn't anyone learn from history? Hitler made a peace treaty with Britain in WWII and then came and bombed the life out of them!! Hello!! Same players, same rules....only the names have changed. Nobody likes war or wants it...but, peace treaties and accords only work with rational leaders...Hello!!!

Patti, Kansas City, MO

Some of these cooments are really frightening in their lack of understanding, written by people who have been completely duped by comments such as 'Iran is a threat!' 'They are developing nuclear weapons!' America has nuclear weaponsas well, is the only country that has ever used them (twice) and will ironically employ them if they strike Iran. Are we so removed from the horror of watching people's suffering from war and invasion to invoke war so off-handedly? War on a country that was democratic until the US overthrew their Prime Minister in 1953. Do you know of the horrors provoked by the embargo on Iraq during the intervening years' Ask Denis Halliday of the UN who resigned. What of the horrorific effects of the Depleted Uranium, banned in 1996 by the UN and the birth deformities of the Iraqi babies? Open your eyes and ears this is nothing more than the next episode in imposing power and possessing resources. Follow the money ! Not the herd and read beyond the cowardly rhetoric..

mark colenutt, plymouth, England

The price of oil in triple-digits would be just what the earth need to save itself from environmental destruction...

CWW , Suffolk,

I would not put anything past the current US administration.
The Iranians would have the right in defending themeselves.

Their nuclear program, has not broken any rules, and the Iranians
are voluntarily part of the NPT...the UN resolutions are not based
on the rule of law, rather than the wishes of the G8.

Nevertheless, an attack on Iran will be a huge disaster all around
and will further alienate the US and will lay waste to Iran.

Kambiz Shahri, Pretoria, South Africa, Gauteng

If you sit back and let Iran build its nuclkear weapons, then we, world wide, run the risk of nuclear war in wich MILLIONS upon MILLIONS might die. Iran all ready braggs about when they get the nukes how they are going to wipe Israel off the map, then strike USA, and any nations in Europe that dare stand against them. So if you want to bow down to mecca 5 times a day, just leave Iran alone and thay will be glad to lead the prayers. History allready shows how Hitler was appeased in the 30's, just before his world domination tour. Keep appeasing Iran and they'll be glad to dominate the world when they have their nukes.

ggore, North Carolina , USA

The whole situation is simply laughable. It's all completely illogical.

We are told we have nuclear weapons because they are a deterrent. If they're a deterrent, others are deterred from attacking us and will not. If they will not attack us, what have we got to be afraid of? If they're not a deterrent, then get rid of them they're a dangerous waste of money.

You simply cannot have it both ways. Either you believe in nuclear deterrence, in which case you will not care if Iran gets nuclear weapons as they are deterred. Or you're afraid of Iran attacking you, in which case you don't believe in the deterrent value of the weapons, and should be campaigning to get rid of them.

As for America dictating to any other country who can and can't have them, it's puerile in the extreme. One day, and I hope it is soon, nuclear deterrence will be laughed at and exposed as the fundamentally illogical and useless military strategy that it is.

Tom Franklin, London, UK

Any Muslim country that attacks another Mualim country and any Musalim country faciliate other to attack a Muslim country shold be decleared enemy of Muslims & Islam

Munna, London, UK.

Bush looks more like a baby playing with a fire as a toy,, attacking iran is not just a mistake but disaster for worldwide

Al farah, Tilburg, The Netehrlands

Human beings are a flawed race - we are too aggressive and too cunning. It will be our ultimate downfall.

John, London, UK

If the past decision making by the U.S.A. policy toward the Middle East fiasco are a concern, the world is in some very much trouble. The crimes of Bush and Cheney are the most evil of men and the people that support them are the most evil ,too. Remember, the love of money is evil !!!

R. Ferguson, Wellington, Ohio

Good on you George, kill kill kill, more body bags and plastic legs for American soldiers, pity about the 'collateral damage' though, but don't worry, it won't effect the bottom line for the neocons. Unless of course the US dollar collapses, lets hear it for the Euro! And hey, watch the price of oil go up as the US attacks - better invest now chaps so you can rake in the blood money.

Barrie, Katoomba, Australia

Anyone who is fool enough to think that war with Iran is a good or necessary thing is perilously wrong. My country's administration, and George Bush in particular, (along with Israel) are flirting with disaster. I only hope and pray that calm minds and reason will prevail. The war in Iraq was a mistake of monumental proportions. Increasing the involvement of the US, its allies, and the rest of the Middle East, not to mention thus involving other countries (as will most certainly happen) such as Russia, is a prescription for disaster! Forget for a minute, just the military and resulting physical and human destruction that will ensue, but the financial ruin that will follow in its wake, will be more than imaginable! Oil prices will skyrocket beyond one's wildest dreams, and a global financial DEPRESSION will occur. These are not idle musings...they WILL be a reality for all to witness.

Tim, Walnut Creek, California/USA

This has certainly flushed a few of the usual religious bigots/lunatics out of the woodwork. Ignorance is bliss, apparently!

Mighty Mouse, Canberra, Australia

There is no justification for attacking Iran. They are signatories to the NPT to which they are still in compliance and are therefore entitled by treaty arrangement to nuclear energy development. Much of the tension characterizing our relationship to Iran could be eliminated if the Bush/Cheney Administration would simply cease threatening Iran with nuclear annihilation. (The irony here should be obvious and speaks volumes about US hypocrisy.) The possibility of a US strike on Iran, while real, makes no sense morally or strategically. Remember, after five years, the US controls only about 1/3 of Baghdad and nothing else in Iraq. Our troops would be vulnerable to an Iranian counterattack.

On this anniversary of the murderous Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, it would be more in our self interest to bring Israel to account than to attack Iran.

Matthew M, Bumpass, va

Iran with Nuclear weapons would be no different than Pakistan ,India or Britain with nuclear weapons. All this fuss is for Irans oil which will be harder to grab if Iran has nukes. How pitiful.

javed, london, uk

I can't believe how many people are supporting Iran on this. It's not difficult to play by the rules and have a civil nuclear program - Brazil have just opened their first nuclear reactor without any fuss.
Iran have made many repeated threats against Israel, the UK and the US. They are heavily involved in the instability in Southern Iraq. Iran are the main aggressor and protaganist.
The US may have questionable foreign policy, and Iraq was a mess we should never have been involved in - but Iran is a very real threat.

David Thomas, Norwich, England, England

Brotherly help is all what is needed for more aspiring democracies. The Soviet Union knew what other societies long and yearn for, just like the USA is eager today to help the oppressed masses to live in a Paradise of Freedom, Equality, Progress, in one word: Democracy. The Soviets have managed to give "socialism" a bitter meaning, now the Americans will make "democracy" a no-word.

umok, vienna, austria,

An Iran with nuclear capability is a scary thought. Moslem terrost state with the ability and morality that this is a likely occurance. We need only look to WWII Germany and Japan to know that when a power crazed leadership believes that they are unchecked, destruction results. GW has been a challenge no doubt, but that does not make Iran anything less but a very dangerous terrorist state.
My sense is that they are far less capable and far more vonerable than they like to pretend. A military solution may not be that bad.

Kurt, Mes, Az

There are more effective ways for a superpower to behave than to threaten war against any country it doesn't like and whose oil it covets. Who would think a country whose arsenal approximates that of the rest of the world and which is building new nuclear and exotic weapons to combat "evil" and maintain permanent war should be trusted to give lectures on peace?

LatAm, Washington , DC

Oil in triple-digits would be just what the earth need to save itself from environmental destruction...

CWW , Suffolk,

Book of Revelations? I suppose you are waiting for the rapture too? More action? What action? If you want military action you are stupid. Military action never achieves the anticipated outcome.

Quite apart from the fact that there is no eveidence that Iran has strayed from its responsibilities under the NPT it is surrounded by hostile forces, mostly the US. If I was Iranian I would have developed nuclear weapons long ago.

On the military side I doubt if Iran could stand up to the US for more than a few hours. But it doesn't need to. It can destroy the world economy with the said missile strike even if the success rate is only 1 in 10. The fact that Russia has sold it Sunburn missiles means the success rate will be higher and it is likely the US will lose 1 or even 2 aircraft carriers and a number of other ships. The US may respond to this by launching a nuclear strike.

The missile strike will knock out a nquarter to a third of the worlds oil supply. Oil could be $300.

Rod Campbell-Ross, Sydney, Australia

Good riddance to Anglo-Americas' Persian Gulf satrapies, including Kuwait. They are not only the "Israels of the Gulf" they are worse, for even the Israelis can claim 50% of the population of the Palestinian territory - less if the right of return is included - and the majority of Israelis actually work for a living, but the "citizen" population of these statelets can be a little as 15% of the total population, largely living off the public dole if they are not directly enriching themselves in business. The rest consists of either the Anglo-American parasite hangers-on who maintain the "citizens" in power or of masses of laborers imported largely from various impoverished Asian countries, people without any rights who labor and live under the harshest "Palestine-like" conditions, deportable at any time. The Athens and Rome of our time, a true neo-liberal workers' paradise!

If a new Persian Gulf war erupt because of US aggression, most of humanity will shed few tears for such states

Brad Mayer, Kobe , Japan

Something certainly needs to be done! The US must get out of Iraq. It must stop threatening other countries. Look at the record. Which is the most aggressive country in the world? The US, aided and abetted by the UK. British citizens who are mindlessly supporting US action should be ashamed at swallowing US propaganda. We need a world of peace not of violent US hegemony.

Jonathan, Guildford, Surey

Open warfare in the Persian Gulf equals chaos for the worlds' economy.

PatD, Yelm, Wa

I don't see how Iran poses any significant threat to the United States. However, I do see how deteriorating relations with Russia pose a substantial threat to American interests. Clearly, a war with Iran strengthens Russia's hand, while weakening America's.

Yet again, GW Bush let's his radical, dominionist agenda guide American foreign policy when pragmatism would have worked so much better. I hope my country will survive the next 19 months without too much more damage to its democracy, reputation and power.

When all is said and done, the world is a better place when America is rational. Bush's pointless chest beating has only given aid and comfort to authoritarian figures in Russia, North Korea, China, Nicaragua, Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Venezuela. I fear that the divides emerging from Bush's bungling between democratic nations and authoritarian ones will continue long after he leaves office. This is all so pointless that it's depressing.

John T. Korab, Albany, NY, USA

The only fear they need to have is fear of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Almighty God of Israel. Just watch it all unfold, read revelations in the Bible, it is all there.

Rosemary, uk,

This threat by Iran (if accurate) highlights the reason that something needs to be done about its nuclear capabililty.

There are more effective ways for a cornered lion to behave than to throw a public tantrum. Who would think an adolescent arsonist threatening to burn down his housing estate should be trusted to run a petrol station?

Mike Poulsen, Reading,

Less talk more action

ben, London,

The Gulf State feared that they would lose their wealth if they dont support the american and Israel. Iran seems to fear only God. America is migty, but God is the mightiest. God hates arrogance and greedyness.

long, georgetown,

Oooooo....I'm shaking. Wait!!!...haven't I heard this before? Yes I have...right before the begining of the second Iraq war. Now I know where "Baghdad Bob" ended up...in Iran!

And I love the admission of guilt here. The unnamed Iranian official that threatens..."INCREASED support for terrorists groups".

I have to laugh at the same individual's statement that retaliation would occur within one hour of a U.S. attack. One hour hell! They'd still be changing their underwear!

Murph, Madisonville, USA/KY

When you have people like Sam from Dallas running US foreign policy there is little wonder that we find our selves in a labyrinth with no way out!

Jim Walton, Washington, DC

It has become a western media standard that when reporting on Iran, every time that Iran refers to its legitimate right to defend itself, just as it is every other nation's right to defend itself against aggression, they call it a threat.

America and European countries really do believe that they have a "natural right" to attack any country they wish and not be bothered in the process, in any form whatsoever. And if the country that is attacked tries to defend against their aggression then they consider it a crime of the highest order. And of course they call on their media outlets like Times Online to parrot their position, calling the attacked country the greatest "threat" to humanity that has ever been.

I for one cannot imagine a more concrete proof of the criminality inherent in the western governments' collective thinking about their place in the world.

Ali, City, Iran

Does anyone really believe that given the chance Iran is NOT going to develop nuclear weapons? Does anyone really believe that Iran is a peace loving nation and that their president is NOT a demagogue? At least Bush's time in power is limited and nearly at an end.Too bad we can't say as much for the current leaders of Iran.

Doug, San Francisco, California, USA

Any US citizen curious as to why the rest of the world has trouble taking their ideology seriously need only read the ramblings of Jen from Northwood below. Something tells me that he or she is included in the ever-dwindling 25% minority that still supports their glorious leader...

Neil, Canterbury, UK

The US bellicosity is rattling everyone's nerves. This is uncalled for. The US relies on fear to placate the masses to garner support for aggressive pre-emptive wars. This time, however, the people are rightfully not buying it.

Iran, time and again, reached out to the US even going so far as to help in Afghanistan against the Taliban. And in return the neocons shake their fists and disseminate false information in attempts to generate a casus belli for military action. If Israel is to be safe it would do well to stop this also. Instead of lobbing threats and encouraging war cooler heads need to preside. The lapse of morals and ethics is astounding.

Threats of war cripple hopes of finding solutions. If ever a time called for diplomacy, rational and logical thinking, it would be now.

Jacob Cohen is correct, "We should help Iran with its nuclear technology program" and stop this idiocy.

serena1313, dallas, texas

I will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel...


Almighty God

Iran and the USA and all other nations will be judged on how they treat Israel.

sam, dallas, texas

No Muslim nation... can ever expect justice? Let us first find a just Muslim Nation. Sharia law oppresses every non-male Muslim.
Where there is conflict in the world there you will find the muslim nations hand.

B Puetz, Augusta,

It was ''shock and awe'' when crumbling Iraq was attacked by the mighty America. 5yrs on America is now arming sunnis to divert attack from its soldiers. No one is talking about shock and awe now.

It is frightening that in the face of all the carnage in Iraq that so many have learned nothing. That there are still so many armchair warriors talking about bombing Iran as if it were some sort of game or picnic.

War is not a computer game. It is unrestrained destruction of real people and real places. it would not be any easier for America if they engage in another immoral act of aggression against Iran. People will still be be suffering the impact of such aggression for decades to come.

Thinking people and those of goodwill should be striving to resolve differences based on justice and fair treatment of all.

This promotion of aggression and glorification of force will all end in tears one day.

Steadfast, London, United Kingdom

It is the height of hypocracy for the U.S. to tell other sovereign nations they can't make nuclear weapons when the U.S. is not only making new ones, but is the only nation on earth to have killed hundreds of thousands of people with nuclear weapons.

I'm sick and tired of the neocons claiming that the "enemy" wants to hurt us because they hate our freedom and way of life. They want to hurt us because we slaughter their children, their mothers, their wives, their husbands, grandparents, etc. When we aren't slaughtering them we are propping up despots like the former Shaw of Iran to ensure further slaughter.

The fact that the U.S. govt. unconditionally supports Israel is also a clear reason why the Muslim world is enraged. While the IDF completely destroyed Lebanon with bombs supplied by the U.S., George Bush sat by idly. Israel may be the promised land, but its gov't. is fascist, ruthless, and terribly destructive.

Jack Thomas, Huntington Beach, CA, USA

I ain't afraid of no ghost!

Theocracy, Osama & "freedom fighters" will feel the wrath...
Hey where is my cheeseburger and fries?

Oliver, New York,

Good grief, attracting threats from otherwise peaceful Russians and now Iran. It may all just be another week's work for Bush, but something needs to be done to remove Bush before he sets off another stupid war. Can't he be recalled?

Em Hawthorne, Ottawa, CAN

Oh, what a tangled web. Has the US said that they were going to bomb Iran? No. Will they? Only the Pentagon and key Republicans know this. Has Iran said they were developing nukes? No. Is Iran developing nukes? Only key Iranian leaders know this.

There seems to be few facts and a lot of ignorant macho posturing, naked paranoia and just plain hot air, revolving around this enitre issue.

Is is about oil? Probably. Is it about religion? Also probably-to some extent. Mostly, it's about an ancient power struggle--a clash of cultural ideals-- that most of us likely will never fully understand--even the key players involved.

Nancy, Glens Falls, USA NY

I'm starting to think that US aircraft carriers in the Gulf are the cheese in the mousetrap. Namely, to provide the justification for a nuclear attack on Iran. Which is seriously hard cheese for US sailors that happen to be standing when the music stops. LBJ, USS Liberty, 1967... ring a distant bell? Looks the US is up to its old tricks.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

So Mr Bush which is it: are your nuclear weapons totally useless because they don't deter, or is Iran no threat to you whatseover? Which is it Mr Bush?
Laura Roberts, London, UK

Laura: absolutely spot on. At last, someone hits the nail on the head.

Miles R., London, UK

Can anyone blame Iran for wanting Nuclear weapons?

Japan didnt have nuclear weapons, and look what happened to them.

Pete, Cov,

Thank goodness we invaded Iraq when we did. Otherwise, we would now be confronted by nuclear weapons in both Iran and Iraq and the momentum towards nuclear war between Sunni and Shia would now be unstoppable.

Desmond Persaud, Wimbledon, London, UK

So Mr Bush which is it: are your nuclear weapons totally useless because they don't deter, or is Iran no threat to you whatseover? Which is it Mr Bush?
Laura Roberts, London, UK

Laura: absolutely spot on. At last, someone hits the nail on the head.

Miles R., London, UK

Europe will do nothing.

Europe will submit to the Ummah.

Europe is theirs for the taking.

And take it they will.

Vectrasauris, Seattle, USA

Iran, as a soveriegn nation, has all the rights to develope nuclear energy and even nuclear weapons. USA has given nuclear weapons to Israel - why? The UN is just a US poodle as UK and EU are. Under their umbrella, no Muslim nation or nations of the third world can ever expect justice, fair play and humanity. Iran would be within its right to attack any US target or those who aid the US. That would be a fair game.

Syed, Brampton, ON, Canada

It does make sense Iran would attack those gulf countries from where US may launch attack on Iran.

SAM, Chicago, USA

Amedejad wants that crisis to bring forth the kid (prophet) from the well, He has stated this publicly, more than once. I do think the US is not as 'bullet proof" as they think they are on capital ships (ie. carriers) and may have to limp one out after being struck. We have to remember, they are "true believers" and we do NOT yet see this as a "religious war" of ideals,....which it is
Untill we are willing to use the same methods as we used in WW2 ( unconditional surrender, nothing less) we will loose over the long haul.....

Mike Bridges, Anderson, USA,IN

Interesting comments. It seems that our visitors from Iran and India are salivating at the possibility of an attack on Iran. What happens when Iran strikes first? The possiblity is just as strong as a US attack. Would you be quite as supportive then? I doubt it. It seems most people would prefer the US to strike because then Iran can get off scott free while attacking the gulf states and Israel, because of course it will all be the fault of both the great and the little Satan.

fi, cornwall,

If Iran is this bad without nuclear weapons, imagine how much worse they will be once they get the bomb!

Arthur, Newcastle,

why do papers keep rehashing this story, the US military and the CIA are on record saying that any bombing of Iran would in fact not stop the Iranian program, but at most delay it for a year or 2. If this is the case, why waste our time with something which is unachievable?

akram, London,

But Mr Bush, if your nuclear weapons are the great deterrent you have always claimed, it shouldn't matter if Iran build the biggest nuclear stockpile in the world. Because according to you and the theory of nuclear deterrence, nobody will attack you out of fear of retaliation.

So Mr Bush which is it: are your nuclear weapons totally useless because they don't deter, or is Iran no threat to you whatseover? Which is it Mr Bush?

Laura Roberts, London, UK

SO you think Iran will talk? Just like they talked and obeyed International Law when they attacked our Embassy? Held our diplomats and embassy workers prisoner for about 400 days. Those Iranians?

Alan, Pacoima, CA, USA

i think iran y all means has the right to defend it self against apparent american aggression. until there is proof that iran is trying in any way to produce WMDs, the US should keep it's mouth shut. another 'iraq' is the last thing the united states needs.

ahmad abu nameh, scarborough ontario, ontario, canada

I wonder how the Iraq's and Afghani's are going to feel with their bran new surface to air missiles and anti tank missiles? Then EFP's will be the least of our problems in Iraq. Helicopters will drop out of the sky on a daily basis. Americans seem to think they can bomb Iran and nowhere else will be affected; they are extremely naive.

If the US attacks Iran we are all going to suffer due to high oil prices and a completely unstable Iraq.

We must oppose US military action against Iran. There are no benefits and only chaos and economic meltdown that will come if such action is taken.

MXR, cheshire,

The US has never won a major war on its own.
In the Second World War, more than 80 % of German battle casualties were in fighting the Russians.
Jesus never spoke about killing one s enemies, and he would be surprised at the dirty way in which Bush and Howard use his name to murder.
The US cannot win against a rag tag band of insurgents, and it is going to take on Iran?

roger, Toronto, Canada

What is needed now is a total blockade of Iran until they agree to stop the nuclear program. The crazies in charge must see that there are costs for their threats against the world. Where are the freedom l;oving Iranians? Hiding from the religious police!
This kind of thinking is what happens when religious (? )leaders are allowed to run a country.

Cliff Ross, Conway, USA

I believe the fact that that the US military could not even shoot down any of the planes that attacked the world trade center and had two jets circling out at sea because they were still looking for the plane that already hit the trade center says a lot about our ability to defend ourselves. I honestly believe if Russia attacked on 9/11 we would have not been able to defend that attack. To say that we could crush Iran and that they could not do harm to both regional and even targets on American soil sounds unbelievable. Surely Israel would be heavily attacked as well as our oil interests in the middle east. Iranian's have pride just as much as we do. They have a right to defend themselves with any and every means they have if we strike first. In my opinion straight talk between Israel, Iran and the US is a must and it must happen NOW! In the US we tend to look at the world as the media frames it and if you can get around the propaganda as show respect to Iran it will respond.

Rob, Littleton, Colorado

Wow! Its an issue of resources and ownership. Trouble there and we will have no oil from the Mid-East, Venezuela is in the dog-house, Nigeria's Government is fragile and will have problems in the Delta, Indonesia can't pump more oil. That leaves Russians, Libyans, North Sea and US oil producers. You think China, India and Brazil are just going to sit by and use dung-fuel for survival. There will be a scramble for resources and that sounds like WW 3. Wasn't it the logic of German/Japanese dictators versus democracies? If people have forgotten, better read "Origins of WW 2".

Khurshid Zaman, St. Petersburg, Florida

What a joke. The zionists are checkmated and they know it. The days of US hegemony are numbered, triangulated by Russia and China. Iran is not Iraq.
Time to take the US and Israel down a notch or two. Forget the Bible on this one. Jesus isn't coming back in the nick of time either, like the calvary in an old TV western. Yes, more people will die but in the end the little people
(all six billion of them) will have their day.

alex, San Francisco, USA

Iran has the right to act and defend itself in whatever way it feels is right .Who gave authotity to US and its agent ,Uk to dictate terms to other soverign nations. Bush in its blind love for Israel would have attacked Iran long time ago , but for a chang he understands he will play with fire if he gets adventerous with Iran . Decades ago US got kicked in Vietnam and now its Iraq , when will Americans learn how to cultivate shame in their body fabric.

shahid kundi, dublin,

Obviously we need to ban the teaching of
religion to the young. It has done enough wrong.

Larry C Ford, Irvine, Ca

I agree with Jacob, as Pres. Johnson said , it's better to be inside the tent, than outside trying to look in, ( he wasn't as polite when saying it). but what it all boils down to I guess is , if people keep threatening Iran they will only be supporting the case for Iran to go nuclear with it's defense . And who in their right mind would encourage that?

Aaron, cork, Ireland

Iran will be broken, just like we broke Germany, Japan, The Soviet Union, Argentinia, Iraq and all of our other enemies.

Now is the time for Iran to make their empty threats. Soon it will be time for them to bury their war dead and behave themselves.

The West has overwhelming military superiority and we are not afraid to use it on the unenlightened.

Arthur, Melbourne, Australia

As a humble God Fearing Man, I believe the Iranian Leadership with their Radical Muslim Views wants this War to bring true it's prophecies of the coming Madhi which has been a goal since Mohammed supposedly received he Koranic Verse from the Arch Angel Gabriel .

We may be going to war with Iran very soon and our entire way of life may be changed upside down. Whatever the outcome I pray that the Lord keeps his promises and delivers us from what may be the Armegedon spoke about in the Bible of Old...

Just my 2 cents and I'm not religous just a well read observer...

Mars , Coronado, Ca

The only true way to peace is when Jesus Christ returns to earth top set up His kingdom. All of the middle east countries oughta look at the biblical prophecies they are fulfulling right before the entire worlds eyes. The Bible has never been wrong and its all gonna happen read it and do your homework through the media... and then some. Even if you do not ask God for help with the revealing of it, you cannot argue the accuracy of it!

Jen, Northwood, USA

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:

A Believer, Chicago, Illinois

There is one candidate for president here in the US who does not believe in premptive war. He is Congressman Ron Paul, and he has stated publicly that the most significant moral problem the in the United States is the acceptance of the doctrine of preemptive war.The strategy of attacking another country for what some think it might do with weapons that they don't even know for certain it has is going to lead a very bad end. Congressman Paul is adamantly opposed to conventional or nuclear strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. He might not even get the Republican nomination for president, but he is trying hard to elevate the foreign policy debate in the US.

Don, Ft. Worth, Texas

Iran's threat is easily countered. Simply tell them, while comprehensively taking out all -- all -- of their military facilities (conventional as well as nuclear), that any retaliation of any sort will result in the taking out of non-military infrastructure as well. Iran faces two options: Loss of all military infrastructure but no more than this if it refrains from retaliating, or loss of all modern technology of any kind if it does not refrain from retaliating. If they are rational, they will choose the first. There should be no mistake, however, about these two being the only two options available to them, or about the justice of the world's limiting them to these.

Maynard, Oxford, UK

I heard on C-Span this morning that a top level Israeli defense member, in an interview with the "Washington Times" and /or "Playboy Magazine ", was quoted as saying that if Israel should lose in this latest showdown with its' neighbors, or gets 'wiped off the map', its' 200 + nuclear weapons, that are now pointed at major cities around Europe will be launched. I guess as a "get even" for lack of support? I am trying to find this article. Does anyone have a link or information in this regard? Maybe this might explain at least some of the support from EU countries for disarming Iran. I think it's well past time to disarm Israel. They are the only country that the worls at large should fear.

Marcus, Portland, ME, USA

Iran needs to defend itself. The same governments which backed
Saddam when he used chemicals weapons against Iran are now
planning to attack it. Iran has to stand firm in defending itself against
this aggression.

Bobby, Washington, DC

Only problem for Iran is that the US air power will knock out a significant number of their missiles in the first 8 hours of an attack.

They won't be able to "barrage" more than a few targets - most likely the Green Zone in Iraq and US bases in Qatar and elsewhere. Most of the Gulf states assets should remain more or less untouched - except possibly by terrorist actions.

Of course, there is no way the US will knock out ALL of Iran's missiles - that is a given. So Iran still has the missile option. They just need to decide carefully how to deploy it.

Richard Steven Hack, San Francisco, California USA

U.S. will attack prior to end of Bush Administration. He won't leave this matter to the Democrat's. 9-11 changed all this.

Since the targets are military there will be no ground war, just aerial onslaught.

ds, Seattle, USA/WA

Everybody will lose in war.

MS, Belleville, NJ/USA

IF Iran develops a nuclear capability it will threaten no one. It certainly won't threaten the US, and if won't even threaten Israel. Just as when Russia and the US faced off during the Cold War, mutually assured destruction will keep the peace; Iran won't commit suicide by nuking Israel. Nukes are purely a defensive weapon at present. They serve to keep weak powers that have them from being overrun by large powers. As nukes kept the US from overrunning North Korea.

Hal, Tucson, AZ

This is absolutely alarming. Why? because up until now the defense establishment in Iran had refrained from detailing what many Iranians familiar with the missile capabilities of the country already knew, but were not verbalising. Everyone knows that no missile defense shield will be able to withstand a barrage of hundreds of missiles targeting one specific target. Multiply this by a hundred targets, and the gulf countries will be in ruins within minutes.
It was however understood that US already knew about this, and there would be no need for detailing these plans.
It has been taken for granted that the US saber rattling and Israel's threats against Iran are merely warnings that Iran should refrain from developing Nuclear weapons. The fact that Shamkhani feels the urge to actually detail some of Iran's defensive plans only point to the fact that the leaders in the regime are feeling some real or perceived threats, and that can not be good news for anyone.

Ardeshir, Tehran, Iran

God Bless Rockets For They Are The Great Equilizers!

Bush Administration will not attack Iran.
US invaded Iraq because the country was pretty defenceless; and in words of Vice President Cheney: the campaign was “doable”.

The reverse is true of a military adventure against Iran.

Nutshell, Humble, DK

If America wants to start World War Three then those that assist America should know the consequences of their actions.

Why should Iran not retaliate to an illlegal act of war? It has every right to do so.

General Safavi, Tehran, Iran

Finally somone from Iran has responded with a clear cut Iran's options on the table. I suspect Iran already has nukes (may be bought in black market) but it will follow the same doctrine as Isreal (ambiguity). Iran will use its nukes only when attacked and provoked and it will be reallllly surprise to US/Isreal :) hehehe.

USA/Isreal will really be foolish not to heed this warning. This is true that US/Isreal can drop nuke on innocent population (like Japan) but it will never be able to win Iran. Look at Iraq? Who is asking who to help out? :)

Gurmit Singh, India,

The US should make peace with Iran. We should help Iran with its nuclear technology program. This is the only way to peace.

Jacob Cohen, Columbus, Ga