The Issue: Tension in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear program and regional intimidation.
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Every word that has emanated from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Khamenei’s mouths has unequivocally declared that Iran will destroy Israel (“Time to Attack Israel?” Amir Taheri, PostOpinion, Feb. 22).
If Israel concludes that the sanctions and other steps taken by the United States and other nations have had no effect in arresting Iran’s development of the bomb, Israel must attack.
Israel would have a better chance of survival if she were to face a counterattack from Iran without the bomb than an attack from Iran with the bomb.
W. Langfan
Palm Beach, Fla.
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The most recent threat voiced by Iran against Israel is more serious than many believe.
The threats against the Jewish state began years ago with the repeated claim that Israel and its Jewish citizens must be wiped off the map.
Now the mad mullahs have advanced to the next step — actually threatening a preemptive military attack.
To this end, they have armed proxy forces in southern Lebanon and Gaza, forces that could joyously join in the coming war.
Israel is surrounded by enemies and practically isolated diplomatically.
Should Israel launch a preemptive defense, it is certain that the international community, with the exception of a few Western nations, would condemn her.
Paul Bloustein
Cincinnati
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The United States must not be lulled into thinking that negotiations or sanctions would deter Iran.
Radical Islamic states waging holy wars have a long track record of making threats, then negotiating with distractions, deceit and delay to accomplish their fanatic goals.
Foremost among Iran’s obsessions are the destruction of Israel and the domination of the region.
And the time for action by Iran is very soon, particularly when it perceives President Obama as weak and naive, evidenced by his military wind-down and the unilateral disarming and reduction of America’s nuclear capabilities.
Daniel Jeffs
Apple Valley, Calif.
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Ahmadinejad will never be seen giving in to the United States. He has based much of his platform on the fact that he does not bow to the United States.
If Iran gets the bomb, it will realize that it’s in a more dangerous position than before.
One misrepresentation could cause Israel to strike. Therefore, Iran will go as far as it can without actually making a nuclear weapon.
Ahmadinejad will let the world know Iran could produce a bomb in short order, as it has gone most of the way already.
Going to this extreme will make Ahmadinejad even bigger in the eyes of the Muslim world.
Michael Weisbrot
Manhattan
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The outlook for negotiations with Iran is promising.
Many of Iran’s publicly stated goals — ending US domination, the eradication of Israel and the destruction of world capitalism — are in accord with those of the Obama administration.
Winston Orcutt
New Fairfield, Conn.
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Americans don’t want another unnecessary, unjustifiable war in the Middle East, especially one that could potentially escalate into nuclear conflict.
As Zbigniew Brzezinski told Charlie Rose about attacking Iran, Americans will be the ones making all the sacrifices, paying all the costs and suffering all the consequences.
What do we get in return for war with a nation that’s done nothing against us?
Bruce Brown
Manhattan
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With skyrocketing oil prices, daily genocide in Syria, a hostage crisis in Egypt and a possible war between Iran and Israel, can anyone explain what Obama’s Middle East policy is?
Attack our friends and ignore or enable our enemies?
For all the shills out there boasting of Obama’s brilliance, this should be an easy question to answer.
Jerry Cunningham
Wilton, Conn.
