Iran is fast becoming a world power that can and will
cange this world. I beleive in other countries having the right to advance themselves and govern their own affairs as we all do. There is though something different about the power Iran has. The comments by Ahmedinejad about living together in a world under the rule of God spans the world. At the U,N and Columbia universety he spoke of not only Mohamad but spoke of Moses and Jesus returning to this world to rule it under God. These are statements that can attrack those who are of God around the world to turn on their respective governments for the emperialistic way the world is ran. Many around the world dis agree with the current world government climate. 1 example. We vote them into power then they dictate to us all what we are to do and we have no word in the matter. Irans current policy of promoting a Godly world of peace and brother hood can start a revelution around the world that can topple governments. A new age is upon us

stanford chicoine, simcoe, canada

I am not saying that I agree with Iran or with anyone using terrorist actions to fight these powers who are pushing for a new world order of democracy U,S style. War or terrorizm is not the way back to a Godly world, but when A leader stands in front of the generel assembly at the United Nations and prays for the return of the 12th Imam and Jesus Christ
and speaks alwasy of a Godly world and then anounces that Iran will lead a coalition
of peace loving countries who appose the form of Godless democracy that is being forced upon them, this meens a war is coming and Ahmedinejad is now trying to gather
all God loving people to back him in a revelution against the ungodly. We must learn from history that when a power has the people beleiving they are fighting for God this created devestating wars. Hitler in his book declared that God called on him to rid the world of the Jews because of their turning from God. He got the Germans beleiving they were superior as chosen by God. WW2

stanford chicoine, simcoe, canada

I do not agree with any war for it is nothing else but death. We must peacefuly live together as one world who loves one another but the reality of the situation is the countries of the world who are demecratic and have governments in place whom were voted in by the people are slowly but surely doing away with anything that has to do with God. There are 2 billion christians and 1 billion muslims and millions of jews in this world who basicly beleive in the same God lest one prophet. That accounts for over half the worlds population. The more state seperates itself from church the more they are imposing laws that are alienating God loving people from the rest as uneducated people who don't know the facts about history. This is angering the Godly people who take the time to understand the world push to do away with ideolagies that beleive in creation. People around the world will have no choice but to appose the powers that enforce their ideolagies on all. Ahmedinejad promotes God to all

stanford chicoine, simcoe, canada

I agree, Nir, these are dreadful people and we sure would feel most uncomfortable with them prancing about with a nuclear bomb. But, its their dirty rotten country, not ours. Small world view? That's another debate. North Korea's has an N-device, or several to be precise. I don't hear anyone rattling sabres with them. Could their complete lack of oil have something to do with it? Or could it be that Koreans are a lot harder to fight than Iranians and we don't want another Vietnam? One thing is for sure, not one country that bore a major brunt of the Second World War gave Iran a second thought at the time - nor did they think about who would or should have a nuclear deterrent after the war. They fought for their freedom (which meant, principally their own) and that of Europe and the Far East. The concept of the westernised global policeman is a more recent development.

Marc, Bloemfontein, RSA

Mike, Sydney states: "Do I want the West to attack Iran? Not if it can avoid it. But as a certain Roman said nearly 2000 years ago, 'Those who desire peace should prepare for war'".

So actually, Iran - if it were developing the wmd - desires peace, right?

goldman, london, uk

it is time the fench led this endeavour to disarm some fanatics in tehran. bute then again, who will disarm all the other fanatics who are bent on disarming their fellow fanatics who possess wmd? tell me that!

goldman, london, uk

Sir,
Ignore the rhetoric please - Contrast and compare.

1) How many countries have the US and Iran ACTUALLY invaded over the past century?

2) Who has ACTUALLY used WMDs against civilians and has targetted them?

3) How many civilians have ACTUALLY been killed directly or indirectly by their actions?

4) How many wars have they ACTUALLY fought?

5) Who ACTUALLY interferes in whose backyard?

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Cuban missile crisis, Operation Condor, Blackwater mercenaries/ terrorists, Mujahidin-i-Khalq etc...

SC, London, United Kingdom

In my view Iran & Syria pose a much greater threat than Iraq ever did & unless they stop their nuclear arming & connivance in terrorism, then I think that going to war against them is inevitable. Additionally, the last thing that the whole of the non Islamic world can allow to happen is that al-Qaeda succeeds in getting a foothold, followed by a take-over of Pakistan. This would give al-Qaeda access to what they want, ie nuclear weapons, which they will use to try to achieve their goal of world domination of Islam. Iran will probably be a nuclear power by then due to the passiveness of the worlds powers who, despite the warnings of the USA, UK & a few other countries, with the inevitable result being a world nuclear war. Unless al-Qaeda & Iran are stopped & relieved of any nuclear capability, I can see no other outcome & it will happen within 5 to 10 years unless the world wakes up & stand with the few brave leaders against evil. Israel knows what is at stake & have acted appropriatel

michael pickles, bournemouth, england

President Sarkozy visits Bush and suddenly he is the new poodle replacing Tony Blair as the 'ally' against the the world of terrorous Iran. The US has probably threatened (like Pakistan) or bought Sarkozy in its 'must attack Iran' effort.
Look Iran will be attacked by the US come what may, it is just finding a reason big enough (eg WMD, Nuclear, whatever) and forcing enough allies through economic pressure to start bombing.

My precious ...black gold... my precious!!

BillyBo, London, UK

There is no more threat from Iran than there was from Iraq. Saddam had chemical warheads for scud missiles in the 1991 war but didnt use them because he knew he'd be nuked if he did.

The Iranians wouldnt start a nuclear war for the same reasons. Khameini and Rafsanjani - the people with the real power in Iran - were among those who persuaded Khomeini to sue for peace in 1988 in the Iran-Iraq war. They are not suicidal maniacs or suicide bombers. Ahmadinejad as President has no real power in the Iranian system of government - Khameini has it as supreme leader (and control of the military) and Rafsanjani has it as head of the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts.

They wont committ suicide by proxy by giving nuclear weapons to Hamas, Hezbollah or Islamic Jihad either - still less Al Qaeda who hate Iran's Shia

Thats apart from the fact that according to the IAEA and British and American intelligence Iran is still 5 to 10 years from being able to develop nuclear weapons

Duncan McFarlane, Carluke, Scotland, UK

It is in Russia's and China's self interest to let the US have it's citizen's injured and killed while trying to fit into the ungainly role of world policeman; in the sure knowledge that they gain from US overstretch. The drawing closer of a more proliferant world is something they are perfectly willing to contemplate because they will be willing for the US to take all the flak on the hard decisions. This will continue to taint the geo-political fruits reaped by Washington, not least because the curious spectacle that is US elections will continue as if anything beyond it's border is in the farthest reaches of intergalactic space. Maybe it's time for the guys in Wall Street and and Capitol Hill to wake up and smell the coffee.

Terence Park, Burnley,

Why is it that the US always ends up as the rogue nation in any of these "Have Your Say" comments? I'm not promoting the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities at this time, but I don't think the option should be taken off the table. Really, comments from Canada are a joke - they exist only at the pleasure of the United States. Sadly, at the end of the day, only the US can save the rest of the world from itself. If that means taking out the Iranian nuclear weapons program, so be it.

Pieter Kreyns, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

France finds a backbone. Finally!

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

Maybe the French are NOT pansy's after all.

Lee, Johnson County, KS

Being an American and living in what is suppose to be a free society, I think we are wrong to start targeting Iran. The same stuff being said about Iran is the same stuff being said about Iraq right before we invaded. Coincedence??? I am not sure if I spelled that right. Just got off work. Anyway.... Iran might actually be building a nuclear power plant. But who cares. Who are we to try to boss the world around.

Timothy Richards, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

Nir, I can't agree with you more. No one rejoices at war, but the alternative to inaction could be much worse. It is time we all unite against the tyranny of the Iranian regime.

David, Nashville, USA

But can the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup this season?

fisher, kanata, Ontario

The article mentions his maternal grandmother was Jewish – why mention this and not that he is a practicing Christian? The obvious implication is that this has a bearing on his policy. Why doesn’t any other religion, more relevant to him, have a bearing or warrant a mention?

Kobi Lehrer, London, UK

The French should put their money where their mouth is; perhaps they should be the ones to invade or bomb Iran!

The West 'ganged up' to go to war with Afghanistan & Iraq; now there's Iran. Instead of ganging up again Mr Sarkozy......why not lead your french troops in an invasion to save the world? Or do you think that Iran may win?

AA, London, UK

"Responsible" countries must act from a position of strength in order to protect/defend their citizens from the dangers of hostile nations and act in their national interest. Hopefully the countries that value peace, freedom and human rights will always prevail. History has shown that it is dangerous for countries to turn a blind eye & bury their heads in the sand hoping that the bullies of the world will just behave. Iran is not looking for nuclear capability in order to better defend itself to ensure peace. Iran can not be trusted with a nuclear device. An anti-western nuclear presence in the middle east would be a disaster for all western countries as well as pro-western Arab countries and countries with a thriving economy for many reasons.

Eric, San Francisco, USA / CA

Any comment on your country's 700 odd nuclear warheads? Tell me, who do they point at? Any ideas?

Perhaps the real threat Iran poses is to US/Israeli Hegemony in the region. Perhaps it is the negotiation table the US and Israel are really afraid of. Do you really believe that Iran will build then use the bomb against your country and guarantee its certain destruction? If not then why does Israel or any other country for that matter have such destructive weapons? Israel is a military superpower in the Middle East and its supposed vulnerability is a smoke screen. Try peace – you might even enjoy it.

Charels Levy, London, UK

Should France feel that Iran should be invaded and that there should be a "war" I hope that they can proceed on their own. America can't do anything correctly with this administration and all Bush needs is another reason to invade some other country to improve upon his "legacy", which is not admirable.

Roland Perreault, Caloura, Portugal

Well, this is hypocritical after France tested nuclear weapons over the Pacific not so very long ago. (Not on French soil, but far away, near the people Oceania). This act of sheer arrogance caused huge scandal here in Australia at the time.

Many countries have nuclear weapons at their disposal, including France and Israel. I think they are all wrong. I certainly do not support Iran's desire to obtain weapons - but nor do I think France can really talk on this issue with a clear conscience.

Man's inhumanity to man!

Karina, Melbourne, Australia

"breaching its international responsibilities"

Thats rich coming from Israel.

The same Israel, that has 200 nukes ponited at Muslim countries, ha snot or will not allow inspection of its site and is in violation of countless UN resolutions and stands in gross violations of human rights of the Palestinians.

Sure they woudl love another war, like the one they instigated against Iraq. It wa snto a long ago Iraq was a danger to the world - accordign to Israel of course!

Mea Singh, London, UK

Viva La France !

Roger Browning, Madison, WI, USA

The war may be holy or not, just or not, it remains a bloody business. Do please remember that the Charter of the United Nations allows only defensive wars.

Ahmadinejad get used to threatening Israel with destruction once or twice a month. Nicolas Sarkozy and his devoted ministers are picking up his bad habits, and threaten now Iran with war. It may be a silly game. The more stupendous is that the only man who could save peace is the one who plays the dictator in Russia, Wladimir Poutin.

walter, Strasbourg, Europe

Another weapon of mass destruction???? haven't the world and citizens of US and UK paid enough in order to satisfy the moronic politicians' appetite? How many more children and innocent lives do superpowers intend to take? How much deeper do they intend the rift to be between the west and the Muslim country?

Whether it is Ahmadenijad or Bush, people around the world should realised that these are the people who would at others's expense achieve their personal agenda.

S.Ali, London,

"But Israel welcomed the remarks, saying that the world needed to send a clear, hard message to Tehran that breaching its international responsibilities would not be tolerated. "

Israel it self breaching many ploicies but is there any truthful man stud up and said that ?

what right Israel has to speak? they have to look at their acts first .

Sultan, london,

Its always rich to hear Israel talk about 'international responsibilities' when one considers its history of deceiving even US presidents (Kennedy) about their illegal Nuclear program.

Indeed aside from the usual 'excuses' for their ignoring of international laws and treaties, if Israel hadn't started a nuclear arms race in the Middle East then the Iranians would probably not have followed - if they had the world could indeed see them as a threat.

However, as Israel wants to have its cake and eat it, we have no moral authority to stop any other nation taking its security interests in the manner the Iranians are alleged to have.

Victor Friend, Manchester, England

What about Israel's own nuclear arsenal ? Oh sorry, forgot that it isn't supposed to exist.. And what about all the UN resolutions against its illegal acts that were conveniently blocked by the U.S. ?? Iran is dangerous and needs to be stopped, but the sheer hypocrisy of the U.S. regarding its attitude towards Israel is sickening

JW, Dublin, Ireland

'Scuz me, Christopher, we "don't know if Iran is a force for good..." Have you not read/heard any of their president's comments about the West and Israel in particular? I think he's made it pretty obvious what he'll do with nuclear armaments: Push Israel into the sea, and then start on the rest of us.

mk, SLC, , USA

Bravo la France

John, Durban,

It would be wonderful if anyone were to produce any hard evidence that Iran is actually attempting to produce nuclear weapons. Its actions are certainly suspicious, but that is an entirely insufficient reason to go to war.

Phil, Calgary, Canada

I am not sure why the world plays into this propaganda. Iran is no where close to acquire a single warhead. Israel secretly acquired nukes and has never been forced to sign the NPT ( Nuclear Proliferation Treaty). Shouldn't we all be fair and balance. Let's not make another mistake and invade Iran to find no evidence of WMD productions. That would be castastrophic and both countries will indeed encounter major casualties.

Au revoir

James Val, ATLANTA, GA, USA

Sarkozy is 'from an old Greek jewish dynasty', Kouchner has a jewish father.
It is just some five years ago that AIPAC opened offices in Paris and Brussels.

Foppe, Amersfoort, Netherlands

No doubt a nuclear Iran is unsettling & will make the situation in the middle east more volatile. But Iran is not Iraq or north korea, these guys will not sit & think of what to do in the event they are attacked, they already have their response ready. The question is, how far will they go in disrupting interests of the west? If anyone thinks its a good idea, think again, iraq will be like disney land compared to this. I hope diplomacy can work out something, if it worked with north korea, it can work with iran, though their situations are quite different in nature.

s ahmed, cairo,

At last Europe is awakening to the threat of Irans missiles not only able to attack ISRAEL as she has many times threatened to do, but europe, France Germany etc dont like the idea of being fried either. So now the pennys finally dropped it time to convince china and russia to be on the right side ie with the west and all the left wing of eurabia should seek asylum in a moslem country, so they do not have to be traitors to their host country. Ademagad should now consider his options and pack up his warped ideas of destroying any thing Jewish and Christian and start to look after his people period

YESHURUN, LONDON, england

It appears the world finally has a French leader concerned about the threat of radical islam to the west instead of enriching himself, friends and the radical islamists.

Doug, Naples , Florida

Why does every one take it as a fact that Iran is building a nuclear bomb? They have not expressed any intention of doing so, and they are building energy plants under the IAEAs supervision to which the IAEA has got no complaints?

Daniel Barns, Hemel Hempstead, UK

World leaders and everyone needs to separate Iranian people's account from the cleric and their associate account which is in pursue of nuclear ambition.

Bombing Iran is not a solution, helping Iranian people to topple the IRI in order to eradicate nuclear threat, global terrorism and anything else.

Peyman, Tehran, Iran

I think that Bernard Kouchner just want to be a little more famous. He is France's Foriegn Minister and hardly anyone knows him. I certainly did not know him until yesterday when I for the first time saw him on the tele making threat towards Iran, trying to scare fire brand Iranian President . I am sure US has put him up to this. Who else?

Peter, Manchester, UK

Perhaps if Israel gave up its weapons of mass destruction and actually demonstrated an interest in peace rather than racial and military domination, Iran would be more inclined toward peace.

And do keep in mind Iran has broken no international agreement and has attacked no neighbour. Can the same be said for Israel, and the US?

Sean, London, Ontario,

In response to Christopher from Toronto, your comments strike me as utterly naive. Israel does not support groups which are opposed to Iran. And if it does, maybe you can tell us who they are? As for being a threat, Israel does not make inflammatory remarks about its neighbours, or the whole world, unlike the wonderful country that is Iran. Why do people continue to be blind and deaf to the real threat that is harming our world, ie Iran and Syria, and instead choose to blame easy targets such as Israel or America as they know that their remarks will go unchalleneged?
Frankly its troubling and pathetic!

john, Manchester,

A comment that shares similarities with UK / US / Israli rhetoric of late will always be seen in this light but as the day that Iran will finally complete their first nuclear weapon draws near even the most anti western governments will come to announce the same conclusion. my only hope that that they make a better job of it than Iraq with transparent intentions regarding an exit strategy and Iran’s oil wealth. Exactly what the regime will do when presented with the inevitable result of their nuclear policy is anyone’s guess. I just hope estimations of the projects completion are accurate.

Oscar Stankard, Chesham, United Kingdom

Now that France has stated it's position clearly then I'm much happier. If France says we should be ready for war then I believe them and will support my country readying for war.
Show's how much trust the USA and UK has lost...I barely believe a word they say anymore.

Phill Barlow, Wirral, England

Fighting talk from the French......now there's a novelty. I needed a good laugh to start my day, thanks.

viv, london, england

My guess is the role of France in such a war would probably be lending political legitimacy to it. I mean, having something between five to six million muslims in their country it would not be easy for them to play a more active role in a future conflict.

Richard, Hanover, FRG

Christopher from Toronto you are right, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter, one country's 'independent' news coverage is another country's propaganda tool.

Bob, London, UK

I never thought I'd see the day when the French government would make a political statement or gesture that wasnt dictated by political expediency and was for the greater good of the international community. There is hope for the French yet!

Maybe we finally have the beginnings of real action to curtail this violent, aggresive, radical and dangerous Iranian regime and put it in the same place the Allies put Hitler.

Mike, London,

Thats rich comming from Israel.

The same Israel, that has 200 nukes ponited at Muslim countries, ha snot or will not allow inspection of its site and is in violation of countless UN resolutions and stands in gross violations of human rights of the Palestinians.

Sure they woudl love another war, like the one they instigated against Iraq. It wa snto a long ago Iraq was a danger to the world - accordign to Israel of course!

Mea Singh, London, UK

christopher -toronto
you are absolutely correct.

clark, cannes, france

I don't want a war with Iran, we should'n't be in Iraq or Arghanistan; my government has lied enough.
Why doesn't the government of an oil producing nation spend money to feed/educate its people instead of worrying about a nuclear initiative.

By the by, there is no god protecting Israel, or any other place for that matter.

Mary Jo Gibson
Illinois, USA

Mary Jo , Silent Hill, USA

Kouchner opens new front in Israel's proxy war on 'terror'.

Alan, London, UK

Christopher in Toronto. Why dont you try reading the article before you comment. This is about France making remarks about Iran not the United States involvment in Iraq. Try staying on topic and less ranting.

J. Holden Gibbons, Shaker Heights , OH

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2473281.ece#comments-form
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I agree with Christopher.

What I cannot understand is this. How can a few selected former colonial and imperialist countries decide which countries from the third world can or cannot have nuclear weapons when these very western countries in the past have been guilty of the worst form of human violations in the world. Labeling a third world country as a threat to world peace is a cheap way of making war. If this unilateral war waging attitude continues it will herald an end to the very existence of the UN.

faizal, Pretoria, South Africa

I do worry about Iran and the reasons for thier need of atomic power, However we may be better off to build our defenses and undertand that only one counrty has ever used the BOMB
and one country has a history on invading others,

I love the USA but time has come to take care of our issue at home and leave the rest alone...

Dave, Joliet, USA,Il

Nuclear Weapons are not good in anyone's hands but at least a democracy with a proper separation of powers has some checks and balances as their use. The danger of Iran (and some of the other current nuclear powers) is not just one of what the current regime intend to use them for (sabre rattling or for real), it is what the next regime will intend, or the one after that, or the one.........

Peter, London,

The war may be holy or not, just or not, it remains a bloody business. Do remember that the Charter of the United Nations allows only defensive wars.

Ahmadinejad get used to threatening Israel with destruction once or twice a month. Nicolas Sarkozy and his devoted ministers are picking up his bad habits, and threaten now Iran with war. It may be a silly game. The more stupendous is that the only man who could save peace is the one who plays the dictator in Russia, Wladimir Poutin.

walter, Strasbourg, Europe

Goodbye, Chirac, and good riddance.

Over the coming years, the West is going to need all the Sarkozys it can find.

Do I want the West to attack Iran? Not if it can avoid it. But as a certain Roman said nearly 2000 years ago, "Those who desire peace should prepare for war".

Mike, Sydney, Australia

This debacle will never end. When you have two opposing forces you always receive and push and shove on each side.

Now the most fundamental decision is will IRAN attack or will it still continue the scare tactics by supporting Jihadists?

riku, new jersey, NJ

The God of 'Jacob, Abraham and Isaac' never 'sleeps', where was he for the last 2000 years, on a holiaday, a quick cup of tea ... My God (no pun intended)

Darren, London,

sanctions have their own lessons and privilages. Iran has just simply learnt its lesson well during the 8yrs war with Iraq where they couldn't even acquire chemical masks from other countries. This whole issue of wanting to produce its own fuel is the glorification of the lessons learnt and it is deeply rooted in the countries' pride. The hardcore Islamist goverment in Iran is too naive to want to develop a bomb under this much scruitney. They could easily have already aquire a cash of nuclear warheads from the poor broken-up USSR countries like Georgia who would love to trade their warheads for potatos and wheat. so this is just another political agenda to feed into the closed-minded popular media. lets not make another mistake by attacking Iran. let's resolve the situation by removing sanctions, regaining the trust of Iranian people and
show them our support so they can rise up against this hypocratic government of theirs.

Alex, San Diego, USA, CA

i agree with what nir says in his post. There is no question of allowing Iran the bomb especially when it has taken unfair advantage of the NPT system and systematically undermined it. Also, i welcome France's tough language. The world, including Russia and China, need to stand united on this issue.

Abhishek, New Delhi,

with Israel's nukes to the west, Pakistan's and India's to the east and russia's nukes to the north why shouldn't Iran be allowed nukes? For Israelis to talk about torture, rapes , human rights abuses etc they should look inward before pointing fingers. Many dooms days predictions were made of the Pakistani bomb but nothing has come of it. Similarly noting will come of the Iranian bomb. The main issue is that Iran's oil will be impossible to steal if it has nukes.

javed, london, uk

Something now openly said which has been in the thoughts of many people for a long long time. The real target has surely been Iran all along (and not Irak)?!

stephen, benrath, germany

five permanent members SHOULD abandon their nuclear weapon first.

eric, zhejiang,

Israel should not be afraid .The God of Abraham,Isaac and Jacob never slumbers or sleeps.

Lyle Flanery, KC, MO

There are two sides to every story, Iran is simply on the other side of this one. We do not know if Iran is a force for good, for evil or for neither. What we do know is that the West is pushing an agenda without proving a threat. Perhaps if America hadn't spent it's political good will invading a country under the guise of protecting our borders, we would believe their story this time. Yes, Iran supports groups opposed to Israel but in turn Israel supports groups groups opposed to Iran, it is a tit-for-tat argument to claim Iran is the "bad guy" in a conflict where both parties are guilty of the same crimes.

Christopher, Toronto, Canada

There is no delight in Israel... We wish Iran wouldn't pose such a threat and that it would use its vast resources to better the life of it's people... But given the currect Iranian regime policies allowing Iran to get the bomb would simply be maddness... Did the allies fight WWII only to get a nuclear madman in Iran with an A-Bomb 60 years later? These are peopel who are used to turture political prisoners by having their daughters raped in front of their very eyes... They support Hames, Hizbulla, Insurgents in Iraq, and the Taliban (recently) in Afganistan...

nir, jerusalem, israel

It is painfully evident that the departure of Jacques Chirac, the former President of France, has led to the deteriorating situation the world is witnessing on the subject of diplomacy and dialog. However, is should come as no surprise that Sarkozy and his war-mongering government are willing to erase the position of reason and rationale which their predecessor fought to maintain in the face of American bullying tactics. Bush & Co. are patting themselves on the back at this victory and very soon we shall see French Fries back on the fast food menus.

Stanar, Toronto, Canada