as tony blair tries to convince the UK that nuclear power is the only way to go, how can ''the west" justify israel having nuclear technology and not iran? as usual they try to impose their 'values' apon the rest of the world when they have no right to do so. their is no danger of iran attacking anyone. get over it!

david boyle, glasgow, u.k

The Iran's nuclear programme is at present undoutedly much more the instrument of political pressure than of industrial development. But Ahmadinejad can hardly be blamed for using such an instrument taking into account that his country is the next in American's list of aggression.

Bush's intentions are worldwide known. And the thing here is not in protection and development of democracy or even in fight against terrorism... This is only money-matters. With Iran's second worl's place of gas reserves it cannot be otherwise. To control Iran's gas as well as Iraqui's oil is all America actually wants. And it seems that British Government also wants its part of a pie even if it costs several handreds or thousands of their soldiers' lives...

Lets hope that reason will overcom avidity in the matter or at least that British people wont be the one to pay for their government's mistakes.

Elizaveta, Ekaterinburg, Russia

I try to keep an open mind, but I cannot bring myself to believe anything coming from Tehran (Washington isn't far behind mind you, nor London) . Although I agree engagement is better than military action, I believe the West will be pandering around with Iran until either Israel or Europe wakes up to a mushroom cloud. Then there will be the gnashing of teeth ala 1939, and recriminations, then we will all say how we should have dealt with the problem more forcefully years before.
I believe military action in raq was a mistake (although I believe the action in Afghanistan clearly is not). However, the West is faced with the stark reality that Iran is pursuing nuclear weaponry, and it may take military action to stop it in the end. The question is, when that becomes unavoidable, will our spinless, shifty, pandering politicians, who are more concerned with votes and popularity than reality be up to making the call?

Jamie S., Charleston, West Virginia USA

It certainly is an accomplishment of physics, though, I have trouble with celebrating said achievement by chanting "death to America" and "death to Britain." This suggests that the intended purpose is most certainly not a peaceful one.

Fresco, New York, NY

My good friends, for the second time in history a British prime minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honor. I believe it is peace for our time.....
Sound familiar!!! Now superinpose the above quote to the past events with the royal navy sailors and marines and the press notes of the current prime minister. Are we the west really beliving in this new peace for our time? Or are we as blind as Mr Chamberlain was in September of 1938?

F. Bonmati, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Well, this is fairly distressing. It's also infuriatingly frustrating - Why can't the UN do its job?!

Andrew, Manchester,

Who is to choose which country can have nuclear capability and which cannot. Congrats to Iran on accomplishing this feat of physics and may it bring you the global respect you so desire.

cormaquinho, Madrid, España

If the Iranian government can't stop it's low-tech military hardware leaking out through unofficial channels into Iraq, how can the international community expect the regime to keep a secure hold of nuclear materials - no matter what its intended purpose?

Mark, Woking, UK

Tell America to remain vexed with the Iranian nation and die from this anger.

Sorry USA, you can`t do a damn thing

Omid, Isfahan, Iran

Us foreign policy is biased and they have consistently interfered in other nations much to the destruction of the same. Iraq, Afganistan, Iran to name but a few. If the world wishes to be a safer place then it is time that the entire world stands up to the bully boys and tells America to mind its own business and to keep within international law.

We are not soft in the EU as some Americans state but we do realise that these countries can and should make up thier own minds on domestic policy.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

Very bad news. I am convinced that the US and (or) Israel will never allow Iran to have the bomb. Such fact would start a nuclear race in the midle east between the arab states and Iranians. Saudi Arabia warned about it. US cant afford it , cant afford middle East countries full of atomic weapons.Thats why they must strike Iran. How will that country strike?The wholle situation is very bad

Peter42y, Lisbon, Portugal

It is our RIGHT

Iranian Boy, Abadan, Iran

The west must blame itself for failed foreign policy. Iran was angered by the US "interference" in its own national matters. First they supported the Shah of Iran. Then they supported Saddam Hussein's war against Iran - but incredibly also sold weapons to the Iranians in that war as well!

Its no wonder the Iranians have reached this point. Furthermore they must also be suspicious of the bias in the middle east. How can we justify criticising Iran and omit Israel (oh I forget Israel doesn't have any nukes after all if they did US policy would prohibit funding Israel to the tune of $3 billion a year in foreign aid of which $3 billion is used to buy military arms).

What is needed is a clear coherent foreign policy without any bias in relation to oil (free and fair - free markets and all of that) and also know bias from the self interests of the much vaunted "jewish lobby".

Micheal Ackroyd, London, UK

If America is serious about imposing sanctions, and stopping the Iranian nuclear ambitions, then it could unilaterally impose a ban on all companies trading with Iran from trading with the USA.
The effect would be virtually immediate and have the desired results within a few months, without resorting to the ineffective UN.

Barry Samways, London, UK

They chant “death to America” and “death to Britain”. But in reality they mean “death to democracy”; as we can see in Lebanon where Hezbollah, with the aid of the Iranian regime, tries to replace the democratic structures.

l.karremans, Heusden, Belgium

Why do we seem to confident that this, or any other story, about Iran is anything but a propoganda war between two countries.

Lets not forget that the reason Iran have re-started their Uranium enrichment programme is a direct consequence of US foreign policy towards them since 2001

Patrik Bateman, London, UK

Soft talks never worked with thugs...

While more and more useless UN sanctions pile on Ahmadinejad, he's getting is first nuke ready: as early as in nine months we'll be seeing another announcement by him saying that now Iran has the God-given right to defend themselves with nuclear weapons.

Long live Chamberlain!

Alfredo Nieto, Madrid, Madrid

Oh dear - what a joke the EU & UN are if they think they'll stop the Mullahs getting the bomb with their sanctions especially as they are not even enforced.

Thank goodness for the 2008 Dick Cheney & George Bush USAF Iranian Tour which must surely go ahead now.

Tour dates include, Natanz, Bushehr, Arak, Anarak, Tehran, Isfahan, Ardakan, Lashkar Abad and other surprise visits

John, Bull , UK

Iran ‘s determination to move ahead in its uranium enrichment programme will surely put the world into a dilemma. Those who have been defending the racist Zionist in Palestine will be forced to reconsider their impartial views. This is because without the Iranian nuclear power there will be no peace in this rich and strategic part of the world.

Many claim that Iran’s nuclear ambitions can be a real threat the adjoining countries, forgetting that Israel is the real threat to the whole world. Such schizophrenic views will lead to nothing but to an impasse from which they will not get out easily. Therefore it is time to enact a new and just law that will ensure to all countries either or not to possess this nuclear weapons. At last I hope the powerful states of the world will come to realise that the first and last loser is neither Iran nor the ‘big killer’ the United States, but the successive generations who will be obliged to find a new ways of coexistence in peace.

Hicham diotima, Rabat , Morocco

The West must get tough and place REAL embagoes like blocking ports and limiting use of air ports by "No Fly Zones" that I feel is the only way Iran can be curbed from their rush to "Get the bomb". The longer it is left the worse our future will become with these "nutters around".

Bugsy, Burley-in-Wharfedale, England