MCH of Iran - Your point is valid that both America and Britian among others have nuclear weapons. The reason that so many countries are against Iran gaining nuclear weapons is because of proliferation. That means the spread of nuclear weapons. For decades we have been trying to reduce the number of 'nukes'. Also as an aside although you may see these two countries as fighting or even starting wars, they have never once expressed the desire to completely wipe a species from the face of the Earth as has the Iranian president. If you cannot show peaceful restraint then we will (obviously) be opposed to you getting nuclear weapons.

Andrew, Portsmouth, UK

I agree that the UN is too weak. But you have to see the whole picture. Remember how many times US has blocked resolutions against Israel? Recently in the Libano war, even when the UN staff have been killed.

Everybody defends its own interests, and the strongest and harshest one doing so is not France, neither Russia, but US.

Don't you wonder why Pakistan is allowed to have the bomb? It's such a civilized, pacific and democratic state! Oh wait, it is an ally of US.

Alberto, Barcelona, Spain

It appears that Western experts can't bring themselves to the idea that Iran might have the technical capability to achieve "industrial scale" production. Is their assessment based on facts on the ground, or a Western sense of superiority? If they are wrong and Ahmadinejad is right, then according to the IAEA, with 3,000 centrifuges, Iran will have enough material to put a nuclear device together in 278 days, and then aloft a Shehab-3 missile, hit anywhere in Israel. Procrastination and ego are doing us no good whatsoever.

John W., Atlanta, USA/Georgia

I agree with Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh. It was the horrible american "intelligence" that declared falsely that Saddam had WMD what triggered the war. Then USA' lack of intelligence and corrupted officials are responsible for showing UN as "ineffective". Now, if we are watching Iran as a new nuclear superpower is because US diplomacy failed over and over again, and they will pretend now to resolve by force what they couldn't do by intelligence. ..Thank YOU very much!

Marcelo, Santa Teresita, Argentina

Joseph Kellie. of Edinburg

"Contrary to what MCD, USA states what pre-cipitated the Iraq war was a war mogering US president. Most of Europe did not believe the propoganda which proved to be untrue."

What Horse Manure !!!

If they did'nt believe it why did they pass 17 resolutions over a period of years??????

Most of Europe did not believe that Germany intended to conquer Europe until Hitler reached the channel.

As a result an estimated 50 million people died.

Saladin, Greenwich,

I wonder if Israel has quietly asked the United States for overflight permision through Iraq? Iran's announcement is being received with uncharacteristic quietness.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

To Andy in London:

Right on ,Andy.

Mr.Hitler assures me "that there will be peace in our time",

says Neville Chamberlain

Don't listen to the warmonger,Winston Churchill.

Saladin, Greenwich,

Hey Joseph in Edinburgh, what precipitated the Iraq war was Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1991 and the UN's complete unwillingness, over twelve years, to enforce its own resolutions. Perhaps if you would stop filtering everything through your hatred of America you might see that.

C Heathcote, Tonbridge,

Dear MCD, Elmhurst, USA - Iran is a member of NPT and inspectors of IAEA come into its plants. Iran has NOT nuclear weapons. USA has nuclear weapons and has applied it. Can you tell me how these DOUBLE STANDARS is solved in the logical and civilized countries in the West?

MCH, Shiraz, Iran

Iran will have "the bomb" because the U.N. is powerless to stop them and, after the US is forced out of Iraq by it's political process, there will be no one with the will to stop them.

gary fortier, Coon Rapids, MN

The UN has agreed unanimously to stop shipments of European candies to Iran, their strongest statements in a decade

Jeff Dunham, Gitmo, USA

long live Neville Chamberlain! His spirit is alive and kicking once again

andy, london,

Contrary to what MCD, USA states what pre-cipitated the Iraq war was a war mogering US president. Most of Europe did not believe the propoganda which proved to be untrue. No-one of sound mind will believe anything America now states as they are outright liars.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

we will waiting what can USA to do after Iran's annoucement today that it has entered the industrial stage of its nuclear programme. ?

AHMED, MANSOURA, EGYPT

The UN is threatening further sanctions after the limited ones put on Iran in Dec. and May. The Iranians are laughing at this corrupt and useless organization, with an Iranian Revolutionary Guard already having travelled to Russia and showing the "ineffectiveness of the resolution". I'm sure Ahmedinejad and the Mullahs are taking their cues from Saddam, who defied years of UN resolutions, bribed French Government officials, businessman and journalists along with a host of others, to remove and oppose UN policy. With Russia, France and Italy being the largest trading partners in Europe, no UN resolution will ever have any bite to it. The ineptness and corruption of the UN and its willing corrupt partners is what pre-cipitated the Iraq war. Expect a nuclear armed Iran.

MCD, Elmhurst, USA

Well, it seems obvious it's time to impose some real economic sanctions after the next UN deadline passes. The early sanctions didn't even make Iran think about changing policy- which is the goal of the sanctions.

If the UN wants Iran to comply, and avoid chance of war with the US, it needs to impose real harsh economic sanctions that have a material effect on Iran. This will pressure the people to oppose the government's defiance.

Anything else will have no effect, in fact it will increase the chance that Iran will get nukes OR the chance of war. Eithe option is WORSE than imposing hard sanctions.

Joseph Meyers, Mangilao, USA/Guam

If you advocate taking military action against Iran please do the following: enlist. Tell your son to enlist, tell your daughter to enlist, tell your aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers to enlist.

If you have a job: no excuse. If we are fighting against Hitler reincarnate (as so many on the right proclaim) please enlist. If you are afraid of combat become a doctor, nurse, engineer, driver, translator, or an agent, an agent of imperialism if you will, in the armed forces. Whatever you do, please enlist.

If you are stuck in a trench and the war has been stalemated for years, don't weep, don't complain, don't curse, don't pray, don't write poems, don't write novels, don't do anything because you desired to be there, you wanted war, and now that it is here you will realize how precious peace and life really is; however you signed up to take life, didn't you, for that is why you enlisted.

I hate war.

Bradley, Austin, USA

We are doomed to distroy ourselves.

MB, LA, CA

Tough economic sanctions need to be imposed at the next deadline to stop Iran and to avoid war.

Anything else by the UN is really pointless to all sides.

Joseph Meyers, Mangilao, USA/Guam

I want to restate for Times readers why western countries state that they believe Iran has military intentions for their nuclear program. It is so interesting to see how the western media reports: "Western nations 'claim' Iran is seeking nuclear weapons", as if it were not true. The 'claim' is founded largely on information revealed from the arrest of A.Q. Kahn of Pakistan. The 'Father' of Pakistani Nuclear Technology sold nuclear technology on the black market to Iran. So, when the cover was blown on the extensive secrecy around the Iranian covert nuclear program, Iran had to create political cover so now is insisting their nuclear program is for "peaceful" purposes only. Remember, President Ronald Regan named the MX missle the "Peace Keeper", which had ten independently targetable nuclear warheads per missle. So, it is fair to ask the Iranian leadership, just what exactly are "peaceful purposes"?

Lane, Halibut Cove, Alaska

Iran has proven on more than one occassion how dangerous they are. The fact they are supplying terrorists in Iraq with advanced weaponry aginst U.s. troops and the citizens of Iraq and now their admission that their nuclear program has advanced to the point of no return leaves no alternative but military action to bring this lunatic regime to a screaching halt, not to mention they desire to wipe Israel off the face of the planet. The war machine is in place in the Persian Gulf so lets roll and make this world a safer place.

Chet, Slidell, USA

If you advocate taking military action against Iran please do the following: enlist. Tell your son to enlist, tell your daughter to enlist, tell your aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers to enlist.

If you have a job: no excuse. If we are fighting against Hitler reincarnate (as so many on the right proclaim) please enlist. If you are afraid of combat become a doctor, nurse, engineer, driver, translator, or an agent, an agent of imperialism if you will, in the armed forces. Whatever you do, please enlist.

If you are stuck in a trench and the war has been stalemated for years, don't weep, don't complain, don't curse, don't pray, don't write poems, don't write novels, don't do anything because you desired to be there, you wanted war, and now that it is here you will realize how precious peace and life really is; however you signed up to take life, didn't you, for that is why you enlisted.

I hate war.

Brad, Austin, USA