U.S. warns Iran: Meet nuclear obligations or face 'next step'

Isreal must stop Iran

There is nothing like settling up impossible and one sided terms with Iran (expecting it to ship its uranium enrichment to another country and making no such demands on Israel when it is the root cause (along with the US ) of aggression in the region) and reprimanding it when it kicks up its heels and refuses to be bullied or roll over. This is all so hypocritical and one sided bullying and people aren't fools. They know which side they are supporting today and it isn't their own......Dutch

"Israel has over 200 nuclear weapons an is expanding every day. Why cannot Iran have the weapons to counter Israel`s monopoly ?" (Truth) You want to look naive or idiotic? I assume both: Answer - Because Iran declared that they don't mind some nuiclear bombs from Israel, as they are a big country and can absorb 5 million dead. But Israel can be destroyed in one single shot. And they WILL do it. While Israel NEVER intends to use the bombs, and never made declarations to that effect.

"The difference is that none of them are expanding and colonising a nation and carrying out killings to the extent of Israel. If Israel is not stopped, Palestinians will end up like Native Americans and Australian Aborigines." They are oppressing their own people. If the Palestinians don't accept their own country, how is Israel to blame for that? How many times have the Palestinians rejected offers for their own country now? Why should land which was only free of Jews for 19 years be given to the Palestinians? As a booby prize for losing all the wars they started?

"Israel has over 200 nuclear weapons an is expanding every day. Why cannot Iran have the weapons to counter Israel`s monopoly ?" Could it be because Iran signed and benefited from the NPT it signed and breached for 8 years before being caught?

PSM: "SILVER Israel has no obligations under the NPT" And neither Israel nor the USA has *any* right under *any* int'l law to go WHAMMERJAMMER on Iran because they claim that it may be in violation of that treaty. The UN Charter explicitely prohibits such unilateral military actions, and the ONLY exception to that prohibition - Article 51 - would apply to IRAN's counter-attacks, and not to the countries that are attacking her.

Have you ever heard of the concept of peak shift oil? Well look at a bell curve, we are past the peak, it will be physically impossible to produce the amount of oil the world needs. The middle eastern nations know this, it is projected that the Saudi's alone would have to produce 16 million barrels of oil a day, the Saudi's said they should would probably not be able to do more than 12 million a day, and that is the approximate amount they have been producing. Iran does not even have the ability to refine there own oil, they are LOSING money have to be a net IMPORTER of gasoline. Nuclear energy is the future for not only Iran but the entire mid east. For the rest of you morons spouting off about going to war with Iran, let me remind you the US IS CONDUCTING TERROR OPERATIONS IN IRAN NOW AS IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. We support Iraq in its attack on Iran and GAVE THEM ANTHRAX AND MUSTARD GAS AS WELL AS OTHER WMDs TO USE AGAINST IRAN. The US/Israel are the war crazed Nazis, not Iran.

To equate Iran to WW2 Germany is nothing but scaremongering and irrational. Iran has not attacked anyone...is not out to take over any country. The skies, and space are owned by Israel's friend the US. The weaponry at the US's disposal is the most awesome in World history. Intelligence while not perfect is light years ahead of anything that Hitler or the Aliies cht years ahead g

To equate Iran to WW2 Germany is nothing but scaremongering and irrational. Iran has not attacked anyone...is not out to take over any country. The skies, and space are owned by Israel's friend the US. The weaponry at the US's disposal is the most awesome in World history. Intelligence while not perfect is light years ahead of anything that Hitler or the Aliies cht years ahead g

The targedy for the US and Israel is that neither of them can attack Iran jointly or individually. If the conduct a joint attack, American client regimes will totter. Indivudually, Israel can at best launch an air attack and face Iranian missiles. If the air attack fails, it will be in a deper hole. If American launches a ground invasion, it will end up fighting a war without borders. Look in the map, Iran has borders with Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iran can quite easliy hit American troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. And America will have to recruit at least half a million soldiers and spend at least 20 billion dollars a month on Iran which will bankrupt its treasury and its debt up by at least 2 billion dollars a day.

The Arab regimes and iran are repressive. Just read the publications of human rights and leftist organisation in Melbourne. The difference is that none of them are expanding and colonising a nation and carrying out killings to the extent of Israel. If Israel is not stopped, Palestinians will end up like Native Americans and Australian Aborigines.

Israel has over 200 nuclear weapons an is expanding every day. Why cannot Iran have the weapons to counter Israel's monopoly ?

Your double standards have no problems with an Islamic bomb in the hands of Pakistan which has already attacked Israel in the past for their Uma brothers.

To those who expect Israel to absorb a first strike- You?ll be disappointed.

Of course if US/Israel should attack, it would be desirable that the enemy-as in Gaza,Iraq etc- should have little or nothing to defend themselves with.

strike on Israel for a while, basically since the developed missiles that could hit specific targets in Israel. Israel was kind enough to provide them with some that they wouldn't even have to modify their missiles to carry (Dimona,Kfar Zekharya, Nahal Soreq, Yodefat, Eilabun). Now, using those would have resulted in Iran's destruction, but seeing as the theory is that that wouldn't matter to them, they should have used them as soon as they could. So, I guess there must be some other reason that Israel is so freaked about Iran having a nuclear energy program, and missiles that go further. Might it be fear that Iran can do a better 'mad dog' threat than Israel? Or is it that it shows that Iran has a well developed industrial capacity, educated designers, and managed that despite all that Washington could throw at them? What happens when Jordan (which is starting its nuclear program) realises it can do the same?

"Do as you would have others do unto you. Israel is in exactly the same position as Iran On non-declaration of nuclear sites, So what is good for the goose?" Israel is not in exactly in the same position. Iran signed the NPT, drew benefits from it, yet remained in breach of the NPT for 8 years. What's good for the goose is that Iran faces sanctions for breaking the treaty it signed.

They endlessly criticize Israel, but come up with all sorts of excuses for Iran having been secretly in breach of the NPT for 8 years. It's okay for Iran to have benefitted from the NPT. It's okay for Iran to have lied to the world and received nuclear materials and technology. It's okay for Iran to threaten Israel. But, if Israel doesn't let a non-resident Palestinian student attend school under an expired visa, LOOK OUT! Israel is such an evil place!

are you going to huff and puff till there house comes down? cipi, iran is no threat to anyone but israel and america, plain and simple, because they are the only two that threaten with strikes, i dare the both of you to start, the iranians have had a plan incase this happens, and any invader will be dealt with harshley, it will seem like a walk in the park at first, then all hell will break loose.

Give the Iranians free fuel oil while they develop nukes anyway?

i find your question interesting....but i have a bad new for you,i think Iran can surprise you,and not to be so rational as you want. Don't hope Iran be an Irak in case of war,i cannot imagine a nuclear detonation in teheran without a nuclear esponse in Israel.

I am reading here the post,nad isee most of you,it seems you want to stop Iran by military action,i thing you are kidding here..... can Israel survive a nuclear war with Iran? if the US is serious,Iran will be serious,and nukes will resolve the situation.Can Israel survive at this case? I think not.

Air strikes carried out by either the US or Israel are the ONLY PRACTICAL option left and time is running out for that one because once they take delivery of the Russian S-300 air defense system the only aircraft that will be capable of evading it are the F22 Raptor & B2 bomber which certainly rules out action being taken by Israel. Sanctions don't work and we have had 6-7 years of them to prove that. Obama might think he is divinely sent and can solve any problem in the world with a teleprompter but Iran doesn't feel the same way. For years the world has slapped snactions into Iran both through the UN & national sanctions and they just defy them, plsy for time and work on their nuclear weapons project. If its anything more than token gesture sanctions Russia & China will almost certainly veto them leaving only nstional sanctions which don't hurt. Sanctions also take time for Iran to feel the pressure but they are already very close to having enriched enough uranium for a nuke

The US is sunk neck deep in Iqraq and Afghanistan and is blleding from a million wounds. It cannot invade Iran, if it nukes Iran it will have to weather the backlash and the dollar will plunge faster than a shot jet. Meanwhile the US debt is nearly $ 14 trillion and keeps growing at approximately $ 2 billion every day. It cannot funds itself for long, let alone fund Israel. The ground under your feet is hollow and one wrong step can lead to disaster.

I can honestly say i would rather live on a reserve in Canada then be a neighbor of israel.Is any country safe that is a descendant of the fabled Hagar.Every country bordering palastine/israel get bombed back to the stone age.The bodies killed by Zionists is in the millions so save me the good guy bad guy stuff,religious fanatics cause more hate then any other sect.I do not trust Zionists one iota,how many have they killed,how many has iran killed,who is Iran occupying,so come on lets be real,Zionism is not some peaceful cult,they will kill anyone in order to create prophecy,so were is peace and love in that.

Churchill's words when confronted by Nazi intimidations, and you must hope the Iranian leadership doesn't say that of you and the Western powers.

its amazing how the US is still very biased and one-sided in favor of israel, even though obama was elected president a year ago! until this biased and irresponsible foreign policy changes, our economy and international image will continue to suffer. isael cannot continue to have a nuclear monopoly in the middle east. no one will accept that.

Has anyone been to Iran lately? What do ordinary people of Iran make or this story? or everyone here just assuming that they know all about Iran and the Iranians?

The only problem is for Israel if Iran obtains weapons because it will no longer have military hegemony in the region. Dont be naive, the iranians are not going to use nucs on anybody.

Well victor it is really pretty simple.Every country that has oil deposits will some day run out.Nuclear power will extend the life of oil reserves.On the other hand Iran may also want nuclear weapons as a defense against the agressor of the area.

The IRG are putting on a show... aimed at discouraging an Israeli attack. What's curious however, is the timing of this demonstration and the fact that the ideologically driven Revolutionary Guard control the missile and the nuclear program. We know these solid-fuel rockets can be used on short notice and with greater accuracy. So the question remains... are the Iranians rational or do they like to appear crazy. I don't know about anybody else, but to me... they certainly know very well to what level they are escalating this contest.

Iran needs to be bombed before it is too late. Do not waste time in Afghanistan or Iraq while this time bomb ticks away. Do not occupy Iran, just bomb it for several months and force a regime change so Iran's progressives no longer will live in fear and the nation can be freed from Islamic oppression and decades of dictatorship.

He is definitely nuts and a danger to world peace. Why dont they just allow the nuts in mental hospitals to have weapons like him also.

Reality is for Israel to Wake Up their Arse Up and not get hit and take a Pre-Emptive Strike!

Cipora wants everybody to be scared of her, so she brags and throws around threats like 'total war.' From a country that could not keep a few hundred ragtag Hizbollahniks in Lebanon from flipping their Merkava tanks like tiddly-winks. And got completely bogged down fighting M-16's with tanks and missiles in Gaza. Israel is weak militarily, and getting weaker. There are reasons for this that are not the Israeli military's fault. The truth is that new technologies in the hands of the militants shift the balance of power against large established armies. That's the reason for Cipora's saber rattling. She wants to keep nosy people from pulling the curtain on her fakery.

'nothing but a total war against iran would be effective. such a war would have to destroy all of iran`s military capabilities. there is absolutely no other choice.' Cipora, with respect: 'total war' implies the destruction of civilian lives and property. I do not see how, or why, Israel should attack anything other than military targets and nuclear sites in Iran. Nothing would draw the Iranian people into the waiting arms of the mullahs more completely than an Israeli attack against civilians. That having been said: I agree there is no longer any solution, save a military one, and that the prosecution of it is long overdue. MV

Looks like History is Going to Repeat Itself. Is Israel is going to wait around too late and get Hit?!?!?!!!!!

You posted: "Attacking Iran is not in America`s national interest, especially considering that 200,000 soldiers are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, two neighboring countries of Iran. Not to mention the many American soldiers and personnel stationed all over the gulf." The American governemnt could care less for what ANewPolicyPAC lobby stands for. The American government serves the interests of the oil companies and the arms manufacturers. Peace would mean an end for any arms needs and also means that all of the oil rich countries would have no more need for America and boot all of the foreign oil companies out of their countries. Therefor keeping the tensions and escallating wars in the Middle East keeps these companies in business, pure and simple. Spread that B.S. on the American public. We learned over the years who America realy is and what it stands for. A war hungry nation that can not survive without a war and without exploting other nation's resources.

You posted: "...I feel strongly that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nukes because I fear they will use them but don`t want any more wars for the US or Israel..." For that reason so do the Iranians fear an attack, this is why they want to develope these arms. Israel attacked Iran a few years ago, therefore they have the right to develope what ever arms they feel are necessary for them to be able to protect themselves with from future attacks, by the USA, Israel or anyone else. This is not a one way street. You can not allow one country to have nuclear arms or any other type of arms and at the same time not allow another country to have the same arms. So if you Americans pride yourselves on the fact that you are a democracy, act like it and stop dictating to others. Clean up your own backyard before you point your fingers at others. This world was not created to serve your interests only. Take the fact that you are a super power and do some good for a change.

What has it done to reveal its arsenals and open them for inspections? At least, Iran was compliant with this until it saw how one sided the US and Israel became. No demands or sanctions have been placed on the root cause of this escalation--Israel's build up and aggression in the region. Little wonder Iran is defiant and demonstrates it is not going to roll over and be pushed around by the bullies in Israel and their friends in Washington and elsewhere....

Posted: "If it does, why is nobody asking whether it is Israel that poses a danger to Iran." Israel does. No one asks Israel because Israel is backed by the Americans, who for some reason appointed themselves the police of the world, setting laws that only apply to nations who are not America's allies. This is the "democracy" America keeps forcing on those who do not agree with it's ways and lifestyle. And even if Israel did not have missiles that can reach Iran, it does not mean that Iran can not develope such missiles. The same reason that the USA and Israel have nuclear arms, or whatever missiles they have, Iran and any other nation have the same right to have without facing any sactions or attacks.

Do as you would have others do unto you. Israel is in exactly the same position as Iran On non-declaration of nuclear sites, So what is good for the goose?

The US is no honest broker. Why don?t we hear something like this: The White House joined European Union leaders in warning ISRAEL that it will face consequences if it does not bring its nuclear program into United Nations compliance

One would like to think it is just sabre rattling on the part of Iran, but it's not. The US, Russians, India, Pakistan all knew what would happen if either side launched missles. Iran does not appreciate that one missle launched at Israel will mean at least a dozen coming back. One nuclear missle launched at Israel and we can all kiss our arses goodbye. There is no such thing as a limited nuclear war. Pray it doesn't come to that!

Strange how Israelis and American Jews have no qualms about inflicting the same kind of punishment on the the Iranian people. To them, their is no difference. It is found that 1 million iraqi children died from 1992 to 2001 due to malnutrition and disease caused by lack of medical equipment and medicine that was blocked by sanctions

I think Haaretz made a typo. With all the billions they funnel into wet ops, stirring ethnic terrorism, Afghanistan and Iraq wars as well as the Israeli war machine, I'm sorry but the states are the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the world (also the only nation to be found guilty of terrorism in the world court)

A nuclear Iran is high high danger to Israel facing already many enemies in its border. One nuke bomb over Israel, will impley a massive strik from their ( our ) enemies over Israel border...Hamas, Hezbolah, Lebanon Army, Syria's army, the Jordan's, terrorists inside West bank and Gaza and probbaly Egipt radicals. Israel, does where are your's visionary leaders at this very moment? Please, do not wait to much longer to act! Not only for us, who loves you Israel, but for the entire free world. Peace be over Israel. Shalom.

America and Israel already have a closet full of big sticks. The fact that Iran is trying to take a step in that direction should hardly be a big deal.

It's true, they are sitting atop massive oil deposits, but it's also 80% of their economy. Restructuring an economy and energy policy takes a lot of time under normal circumstances. Just look at Brazil it took them nearly half a century. If the UN sanctions were repealed today it would take a couple decades for the damage to be undone. So in reality it would take them at least two generations to restructure so growth can begin. They've already made ~30 years of progress towards restructuring the energy policy.

your interlocutor put forward a valid opinion.she said iran would be dangerous with nuclear weapons.you replied with a series of "says who".all artifice and no facts put forward. you further ask your interlocutor to "strap herself into a f16." hardly the stuff of debate johnboy.

following an attack on the indian parlaiment by pakistani terrorists. pakistan to forstall an indian invasion deployed its nukes in a transparent fashion.the united states was at its wits end.after urgent talks the massive indian deployment on its borders was pulled back. that potoboc is the danger we face by nukes in the middle east and south asia.

I seriously doubt if Obama will do anything beyond urging sanctions be adopted via the UN. There is no chance the US would attack Iran or back Israel in such an attack. I'm afraid Israel is totally alone with this. As someone who supports peace with almost all enemies I am conflicted on the Iran issue. I feel strongly that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nukes because I fear they will use them but don't want any more wars for the US or Israel. This is the problem of the century.

If it does, why is nobody asking whether it is Israel that poses a danger to Iran.

it is the following "why cant israel live with mutual assured destruction as the usa has for decades." the reply has to do with temprament.the middle east is the region of mass suicide bombs.mass killing of civilians.hideous treatment of opponents by dictators.also impulsive actions. that is a measurable difference which makes the middle east less able to have effective control of nuclear weapons.

Attacking Iran is not in America's national interest, especially considering that 200,000 soldiers are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, two neighboring countries of Iran. Not to mention the many American soldiers and personnel stationed all over the gulf. ANewPolicyPAC is lobby for a two state solution in the Middle East. They are against any attacks on Iran that would threaten American personnel and interests in the Middle East. ANewPolicyPAC is also against any sanctions which would only weaken Iran's civil society. Visit their website and read for yourself.

Since it is already well-known that Iran's nuke program bought almost cent-percent of its infrastructure from rogue Bhopali (yes, he was born in that city infamous for 1984/12/03 lethal-gas-leak) mohajir A.Q. Khan, it is hardly much for them to have bought missile designs (any case, Shaheen was copied from North Koran and Red-Chinese designs, not cent-percent in-house developed) from their equally-goondacratic (Iran's mullahs are basically goondas with clerical robes) eastern neighbour!

It's alarming to read all this hysterical nonsense from Israelis and Jews around the world. Total War!!!! It's a few thousand years since Iran invaded anyone and only a few months since Israel did. And remember there are 25,000 thousand Jews living peacefully in Iran. Do you want to wipe them out as well?

Barak: What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for Iran to nuke Tel Aviv. Rabin would know what to do Better strike first or else you are doomed

Doesn't Israel have weapons that can reach Iran too? Don't they test weapons also? Why the double standard... Iran testing a missile is a provocation but Israel does the same thing and we don't hear about it? They need a deterrent because Israel threatens to strike Iran every week.

Iran has huge deposits of crude oil but a great proportion of its refining capacity was destroyed in the long war with Sadam Hussein, backed as he was by the USA. Nuclear technology has wider use than for fuel, so is worth the investment on many counts.

Iran has threatened to hit Israel with its long range missiles and nuke too. Israel should be focusing on these threats as number one priority and not be distracted by non-essential issues. Waiting for a Holocaust to happen on Israel by way of long range missiles and nuke is not an option. To survive on this type of modern warfare planned and executed by evil forces, preemption is the only effective solution. Israel cannot and must not depend on external entities like the Obama administration and the Eurabia for help. The dark forces-world of AntiSemites and Islamist-Jihadists are attempting to effect a Holocaust on Israel. Israel needs to prepare by getting its leading Generals in place. The nation should also be prepared at all times. The Islamist-Jihadist fanatics in Iran are evil as in the days of Hitler.

Big deal...one patched together Irant missile against the USA's 1,250 billion dollar defense systems...army, navy, air force, etc. waiting to put the Irants back into the 7th century. Now that the USA army has encircled and SURROUNDED Irant, and the USA army is OVER THERE on it's borders, , the IRANT threats are really just more of their peeing into the wind...

why let a madman get his foot in the door when it can be avoided.

why is Israel involved when the world is at odds with Iran. Are they obsessed with Israel for some reason we all do not know. I guess it is more likely that Israel is their scapegoat- keeps the emotions high and gives them passion when there is no substance. silly though.

So Iran has missles that can reach all of isreal and US bases. These missles would be shot down before ever reaching their target. Its a baseless threat. A threat that if carried out would have their country bombed back to the stone age.

Iran has huge deposits of oil and petrolium. It is there #1 export and source of money for the state of Iran. Nuclear energy is cleaner, greener, and more efficient then using gas/oil. They have the right to pursue this technology. Now on the other hand the way they are going about it is wrong. You could say they have a case of short man complex. In no way, do they want to be told what they can or cant do. They refuse to listen to concerns of the international community resulting in a stand-off. The international community just wants assurance that Nukes cant be built and Iran is not giving them that. Irans economy is suffering huge inflation. Oil exports could help them economically. It's a shame they being stubborn. Probably gonna get secretly air attacked in no more then 6 months.

No doubt this solid fuel two stage missile was fired successfully. Iran has become noticeably defiant regarding its missile program and quite possibly further development on its nuclear warhead. The question remains once again on the actual theocratic regime, are they hoping to unite the deep divisions amongst their citizens by actually using said program as a catalyst.? The West has no doubt certain reservations regarding the actual veracity of said program. Then again, some say that an ostrich buries its head in the sand. The truth is, the ostrich does not, yet the West, most certainly has. We all know that sanctions will not work.Period. We all know that the "other" option exists. However, that option, no doubt will be exercised by Israel alone. Imagine missiles flying over the Gulf, imagine how many will hit targets that are civilian. This is not a cold war situation. This is a hot situation, which is fueled by religious outrage against the Zionist Entity. Good day.

"You neglect to mention that we (the US) have lived for many years with nuclear armed opponents, and there is no reason we can`t do that with Iran" You "neglect to mention" that the U.S. prevention of Russia's installation of missiles in Cuba during 1962 was one of the smartest and most necessary actions it has ever taken for national security. We would certainly do it all over again if the situation arose. And THAT was during a "cold war". There is nothing "cold" about the "war" between Iran (and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the other 20 or so splinter groups of Islamic terrorists) and Israel. Israel has every right and reason to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear-armed. Fact is, it has every right to keep Iran from being armed with any sort of weapons, but that's another story. We readers of talkback are all too familar with your political position, your hatred of Israel/Jews, your love for anyone seeking to destroy Israel, and your 30 daily inane "observations".

You neglect to mention that we (the US) have lived for many years with nuclear armed opponents, and there is no reason we can't do that with Iran. From your viewpoint it would be difficult if Israel were no longer able to use nuclear blackmail on its neighbors. However, with adjustments, you can live with MAD; we have.

Iran has shown itself to be committed to a peaceful advancement of it's facilities. It is a noble country with peace loving people who just want to have their own voice in a very dangerous neighbourhood.

total war refers to a type of warfare and it was fought by the allies against nazi germany.

you are unduly pessimistic. my solution, with some modifications, is by no means a fantasy. your solution is no solution at all. shalom cipora p.s. i am very optimistic that a military solution would work. i have great faith in the genius of the idf and the other branches. casualties might be higher than normal, but peace will prevail.

Till when Israël wille be looking for enemies around her? Till when it will stay with this desperate situation war and statu-quo? Yes, people of the region will be looking for MAD and specially nuk whenever a real peace is not concluded with everybody. And most of all with palestinians. All people of the would like to go Haïfa, Tel-aviv, etc, Israelians want to go freely to Cairo, Damascus, Tunis and why not Tehran one day! But this day, will future generation will see it when we see what kind of policy is made by israelians government!We hope that wisdom will prevail one day... But as we see today, only ambitions and force are prevailing. And tomorrow? Nuk war? Missile war? Crazy isnt-it? Let's hope taht one day... But unfortunately in the meantime...

Russia & China will veto any UN sanctions that will do real damage to Iran because they do to much trade with Iran to allow it. They will support token sanctions so it looks as if they are taking it seriously but nothing to painful. Individual countries will place national sanctions of their own but just because the US or some EU countries stop their own countries doing business with Iran it doesn't bar countries like Russia or China because its not a UN issue. Sanctions also take time to do their job because Iran will defy them and at the same time they will continue to enrich uranium, develop nukes & delivery systems and by they start to feel the effect it will be to late. Also attempting to cause a revolution risks making things worse because we don't know what the new regime will be like. Diplomacy has has been been going on for 6 years and there have been UN & national sanctions time to accept we have only 2 choices. AIR STRIKES AN IRANIAN NUKE

About your "nothing but a total war against iran would be effective". And "there is absolutely no other choice (to stop Iran)." First, Your solution would be correct in a perfect world (perfect for us...), yet, it is a total fantasy. It will just not happen. Second, there is an imperfect solution that I mentioned before: To make it absolutely understood that in case a nuclear attack occurs anywhere in the world, Iran will be totaly annihilated. (possibly North Korea too). Without checking who did it. This outcome could be useful if all three powers, the US, Russia and China agree and undersign it. The reason to that is that only those two world enemies, Iran and N Korea could spread the bomb around into the hands of a Hezbollah or Hamas, or Chavez for that matter... This choice is however most probably, another fantasy... So, sauve qui peut...Antartica would be a good place.

....and I surely don't wanna compare Hitler to our good old Cipora, just wanted to note the (rather astonishing) fact, that their language is indeed pretty similar in this case. Again, no offense taken, please, dear Cipora..:)

all the news and TV, Radio of Israel show that the Israeli Army is Brave and Strong , Israel own nuclear weapons so why they are afraid ? ok let Iran be equal in the force like Israel and we will see how much Israel Army are brave? do u think they are brave?

The US with their bases & carrier fleets could easily smash the entire Iranian military machine & not put a single soldier on the ground. A practical alternative would be if the US loaned retired F117 stealth jets which are past the 20 year technology export rules. Congress justifies the deal as a stop gap for Israel until it gets the F35 for defensive purpose only ... nobody will believe it but its just so the US deniability Stealth aircraft carry out a first strike & let conventional jets finish thee job. With a plane that has stealth capabilities Israel has a serious chance at doing this. Whoever does the job & how doesn't matter all that does is that air carried out we have played the diplomatic game for 6-7 years now and got nowhere whilst Iran has enriched uranium, eventually we must accept diplomacy wont work The Shihab can already hit Israel & US bases they just don't have a nuke yet and once they get the S300 only Raptor & B2 bomber can do the job & soon it will run out.

Hard as it may be to believe, the US has accomplished a lot over the years by negotiating without blackmail or by using other's fears as a tool. Reagan funded some research dubbed Star Wars and fielded a new class of Navy ships. He got a deal with Gorbachev. Nixon just recognized China and changed the entire equation in global politics. The US didn't get in a single bombing run against either the USSR or China. And real progress has been made since we lifted the embargo against China. They finance our government, now.

You seriously underestimate the greed of American corporations. One has only to look at the list of companies involved with Saddam Hussein and Oil for Food. Have you read your own post about total war? Have you seen pictures of post war Tokyo or Nagasaki or Hiroshima or even Berlin or London? That is the face of total war. It is not clean or antiseptic. Tens of millions die in total war. Iran only has 70 million.

be attacked.

I suppose you'd prefer Israel to rule the entire region and beyond, as it's trying to do?

CJK: "unless iran is stopped now, without delay, it will be too late." Then by all means strap yourself into a Israeli F-16 and launch yourself against Iran. Go ahead, and we'll see where that gets you. CJK: "the obama administration cannot allow iran to become a nuclear power." Oh, I see, you want Someone Else to do the dirty work for you. Why, Cipora? Wether or not smiting Iran is an AMERICAN national interest is up to the AMERICANS to decide, and if you don't agree with their judgement... well.. strap yourself into that Israeli F-16 and fire up that engine..... CJK: "a nuclear iran will rule the entire region and beyond" Says who? CJK: "it will become a nuclear proliferator to all of america`s enemies," Says who? CJK: "which are many." Says who? I think if the AMERICANS want to reduce the number of "enemies" that it faces then "smiting Iran" is not the way to go. Rather, I would suggest that "cutting Israel adrift" is....

Would Western nations stop intervening in Iranian affairs.

Where are the outraged comments by the commentariat? How amazingly quiet is the crowd that cries human rights when it suits them? How many campus demonstration have there been in the USA led by so called freedom loving accademics ? How many peace marches have there been? How many vigils outside the Iranian embasay? How many placards showing photos of dead demonstrators? How many demonstrations in the past against public execution of gays and even children? "Screw" the dissidents,you bet,starting with the "moral giants" who post here claiming to be searching for peace and justice. PS Have you come out against calls for accademic and artist boycotts of Israel the very people who often champion the Arab cause?

So you are all for doing absolutely nothing. Just great Mark. A nuclear Iran... proliferation throughout the Middle East.. resulting in a massive war (probably nuclear)now that's something to look forward to. I know it's hard Mark, but doing nothing is going to be a disaster. BTW your post re Haaretz censors, I had 23 posts in a row not published, I'm amazed I'm still here.

you are right that sanctions never work. they do not work because totalitarian nutcases do not care about their people, only about their power. however, you are wrong to say that american companies will do work for iran. they would face certain ruin. so would most western companies if caught. this time the u.s. is very serious.

Appeasement & WW III, Strange ! Just like the jabbering & attempts in trying to control the monster,Nazi by feeding it,first Austria & then Czechoslovakia.Nothing appeased her hunger. Pact or no Pact.(Ribbentrop/Molotov). The Monster was prepared to swollow the world,w flesh, bones,& Everything, There was a flicker of hope when the opposition staged an uprising against this Iran/Nazi regime.But except for a few platitudes nothing was done. Today the embers of change are dying out slowly !

Have you ever stopped to think about the meaning of one of your posts? Have you ever seen photos of post war London or Berlin or Tokyo or Hiroshima or Nagasaki or Shanghai or Stalingrad? That is what total war looks like. Tens of millions dead. There are about 70 million Iranians. How many?

sanctions are totally irrelevant and ineffective. the vote by the u.s. house of representatives is simply a sign of increased frustration. nothing but a total war against iran would be effective. such a war would have to destroy all of iran's military capabilities. there is absolutely no other choice.

S raised some interesting questions. How about posting my answers. Among other things, sanctions are feel-good actions that rarely work, but make the politicians feel like they've 'done something.' They are also frequently a way for the rich and powerful to game the system like BIG OIL did with Saddam Hussein and Oil for Food. Children went hungry while Saddam and his family and some fat cats in the US got rich.

unless iran is stopped now, without delay, it will be too late. the obama administration cannot allow iran to become a nuclear power. a nuclear iran will rule the entire region and beyond. it will become a nuclear proliferator to all of america's enemies, which are many.

I can't think of a useful sanction, except those requested by the people of South Africa. This is likely to head down the same track as Oil for Food, enriching a very few corrupt people on both sides and driving dissent so far underground as to no longer exist. Sanctions are a very blunt form of blackmail, just like a nuclear threat. The US used both on Cuba and nothing worked. And it is very doubtful that this will work. Haliburton, a major contractor in the oil arena will just build a refinery or two for them. They already do lots of work for Iran. And if it's not Haliburton, it will be one of the Texas or Oklahoma outfits that dealt with Saddam. Or maybe Exxon Mobil or Standard of Ohio.

Although I do not consider sanctions useful, but rather very damaging, I still have a problem with your post: "...bill designed to make life harder on all ordinary people in Iran. This will start the process of stifling dissent and draw people to the government..." Can you give me an example of a useful sanction which does NOT make life harder to ordinary people? Now, why sanctions are damaging? Because they'd prod Iran to hurry up the bomb and immediatly after obtaining it to blackmail the world to not only stop the sanctions, but ask for the moon in addition, and get it, or else!

The US House passed a bill designed to make life harder on all ordinary people in Iran. This will start the process of stifling dissent and draw people to the government as they siege strips away all pretense.

Can someone explain the role that gasoline plays in developing nuclear energy. I thought that because Iran had large petroleum deposits they didn't need nuclear energy. I am looking for serious answers.