M16 'siding' with a War Criminal and a country that has abused human and child rights, proliferated arms and WMDs, violated countless UN Resolutions (more than Iraq and Iran combined) and promotes racism under the shade of democracy. Great

Isabel, london, UK

Obviously, our government is unconcerned that an illegal attack by Israel (or the US) would have dire consequences throughout the world. Petrol/gas could well rise to $300 a barrel with a pump price in UK of £3 a litre. Economies would stall as Gulf oil supplies were cut. Would would benefit?

Colin Dale, London, UK

Ignorant Brits -- why hasn't Europe done anything to stop Iran? All you do is complain about the U.S. You don't like the U.S. "interfering"? Is that the sort of thanks we get for fighting against Hitler to save all of you? Shame on you!

Jeanne D'Arc, Sterling,

If an Arab nation which the US trusts has nuclear weapons for a balance of power, it might solve one problem if it is that the whole Islamic world feels too vulnerable vis a vis the West & China & so leaves the Palestinian problem unresolved & threatens Israel in order to ward off attack. Brilliant.

Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei (UK Citizen, temp. o/seas in New Zealand)

The world is big enough for everyone including Israel and Palestine. I believe the US does not make a good mediator. It has failed, is failing and will fail. Is it because it wants to remain in the Middle East - Oil?
Why not have a few non aligned countries be the mediator for once.
Peace to all

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

I would like to know why British tax payers money is being wasted in support of the apartheid, terrorist state of Israel on account of Iran's non-existant nuclear weapons program.

Michael, Oxford, UK

Israel shdn't be pressured to attack.Diplomacy first avenue: If Israel cd form a relationship with Iran good cd result. Khamenei said Iran wd nevr launch a nuclear attack on any nation, inclding Israel, tho it's unstable so terrorists might.Read Jer Post :"US Rabbi leads [peace] delegation to Iran".

Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei (UK Citizen, temp. o/seas in NZ)

When you have a messianic leader (Ahmadinejad) bent on creating the circumstances (mass annihilation) to induce the 12th Mahdi to reappear, you must take the threats of annihilation seriously and respond pre-emptively. To all you Neville Chamberlains out there, wake up and smell the coffee.

Edward, New York,

Rajiv: "Heaven save us from these 'do gooders' and 'world improvers'" - you mean those who operate via fascist proxies enslaving and terrorizing population in Iraq, Lebanon, and Gaza?
Come on. Israel is bombed and attacked day after day, 24/7. Why can't IRG (Iranian SS) be bombed in response?

Alex, Cardiff, UK

George in wyoming:

You are truly naive. Iranian mullahs have called for the destruction of Israel, support both materially and financially Hezbollah, and provide help to Hamas. They are not just arguing about the political beliefs of the current Israeli political leaders.

Matthew, Indiana, USA

Australia could certainly be vulnerable in future from a more bellicose & geographically expansive China in the future. Our distance from our allies in the west, & the high hydrocarbon expenditure required to mobilise forces to our aid, makes strengthening our borders & our security a top priority.

Jake Birrell, Brisbane, Australia

Isn't Scarlett the bloke who believed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction? In spite of this wasn't he questionably still promoted to his current post ?
What's wrong with Iran having nukes anyway? Israel has them hasn't it?
Heaven save us from these 'do gooders' and 'world improvers'

Rajiv, London,

The only muslim country that is standing up to the West..
i am sick and tired of all the talk of israel..And as a person who understands farsi...the iranian president said.."its time for the regime in israel to go"...not wiping out israel...as is widely published...part of the propaganda machine..

george, wyoming, usa

G.Gibson, Sydney, Australia

What r u talking about, sir? U don't feel safe down under? This article is about Iran and not about Australia. China is so preoccupied it has no time for Australia except to trade and learn. Give it a break, will you.
I still long for a United Asia.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

To attack Iran without removing the Mullahs is a guarantee for disaster. Iran currently has enough Nuclear weapons to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, if that was it's true intent, however we all know that this is not the intention of the Iranian Mullahs. Israeli misinformation is always ...

christian, san diego, usa

Iran might even test a nuclear bomb before the end of this year.
The problem is will Iran arm Syria to the point that both countries then can attack Israel at the same time.
Or will Israel strike against both. Iran and Syria when time comes to strike iIan?

L.A. ISUFI, Bergen County.N.J, United States

The real issue is Iran is now selling oil in US Dollars.

All the other issues are a smoke screen as Iran has in fact co-operated, negotiated, and complied on all nuclear issues.

Also with Iraq, all Persia has to do is sit back and wait for a Independent Shia Majority Govt

David Ginger, Leicester, England

Australia should have nothing to fear. If you trust the United States, which has signed a protection treaty with Australia that involves any "nuclear" measures required to come to your defence.
The question is do you trust them! Sleep well....

David, Washington, ENGLAND

MI6 ought to have a plan to keep British interests out of the sth east asia/australasia region and to warn Brits about coming down here.
If you look war is slowly brewing in asia with Chinas wicked behaviour...and oz always has 3rd world defences.
Who, in the end, would be safe down here.

G.Gibson, Sydney, Australia

Its' a shame to see more evidence that Israel is a Christian crusader state. Britain had a very different attitude toward Israel in 1948, after enduring the wrath of Zionist terrorists in Palestine.

In the long run, an Israel that has to be propped up by the West is doomed.

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, USA

If MI6 has any heart for British interests they might start to give warnings re: the whole asia/sth east asia/australasia region. Brits shouldnt be going there with so much unrest brewing. Theres prophecies amongst the christian churches of Australia about an asian invader, which looks like China.

G.Gibson, Sydney, Australia

Habu, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America

Yes, looks like the US & its most loyal alliy Britain are planning to have a go at Iran. (will it be without UN's endorsement again? What if like Iraq, there is no concrete nuclear weapons to be found? Is it another pretext of the West? Suspicous!

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Not long ago I met an Iranian gay who had leg cut off in Iran I offered my prayers as a gay Christian. What I got in return was him promptly rejecting me since I let him know I was against bombing Iran. Since then I don't know what is better to bomb their reactor or choose peace as a gay Catholic.

Yaakov Sullivan, NYC, USA

This has been months in the making. A totally defiant and bellicose Iran facing down every telegraphed warning, meeting, and pronouncement by all powers to cease and desist their pursuit of an atomic weapon.

Now the powers are in the coordination phase. The bombing campaign will begin anytime.

Habu, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America