Sanctions alone won't stop Iran's nuclear work

Iran has a right to go nuclear in the same sense that a 4 year old child has a right to carry a loaded pistol. And if you honestly believe that Israel used "uranium" in Lebanon, you're delusional and should get back on your meds.

Israel has them. Iran wants them. So let them. I am not a support of Iran or Ahmdj, but if we want a nuclear free Middle - East, then Israel?s weapons will have to go.

No one is permitted to make nuclear weapons. Not being an NPT member does not mean certain attack. Look at Israel, North Korea, India, and Pakistan; no one attacks their nuke sites. No war is ever justified. People create wars to satisfy their own agenda.

Do as you would have others Sanctions and boycotts are needed on a cruel & racist repressive israel that cowardly drops bombs on UN buildings, schools, playhouses & hospitals. Israel defies all international calls on halt of settlements & rejects the calls for a Palestinian state from the hand that feeds it. Israel is cruel & racist repressive regime that rejects International calls for standing trial on war crimes and rejects to sign the NPT. It will be interesting to see how long Israel can last without stupid America?s support - before it yields and begins to act like a civilized nation

When is ISRAEL going to acknowledge it HAS NUCLEAR WEAPON? And that it used URANIUM in south Lebanon attack?. Finally when this TERRORIST STATE will open its plants to INTERNATIONAL INSEPECTION?. ISRAEL CAN NOT continue to act as a vandals defying the international legality. ISRAEL HAS HAD A NUCLEAR MONOPOLY in the region for several decades. You cannot hide or ignore the truth, the double standards, of Israel's nuclear capability forever.

I've been reading articles and responses to them in Haaretz for some time. There is no topic so intriguing as the fact that Israel has nuclear capabilities but that no sanctions nor threat of sanctions has been made ever. Why not?

I do agree that sanctions alone will not stop Iran; they should be complemented with precision military strikes at all its nuclear sites. Time is running out. The longer the powers wait the more defiant Iran will become and in the end, we shall see the dawn of the Third World War.

The world must understand that Iran's nuclear ambition is here to stay. Iran cannot survive without Nuclear technology. The world lived with israeli Nuclear facts and Israel and the world must start getting used to Iran with Neclear technology. If you are thinking of attacking Iran, think again. it will be the best favor you do for their regime and then Iran will build a Nuclear plant in every city. Shia Muslim do not buckle under threat, they rather die like our Imam Hussien before we surrender. You should have learned this in South Lebanon and you will learn this when you attack Iran.

The growing and deeply felt need for international withdrawal by very, very angry US voters is clear to Obama - its jobs, jobs, jobs & reduce the deficit, period. How long did it take after the Great Depression for the US to enter WWII? Watch-- too many US deaths this Spring in the Afghanistan surge & Obama will start making pull-back noises. So, its fine to arm the Gulf States & try for international sanctions on the Republican Guards, but it will be many years before the US voters will stand for another war in the middle east. It is seen as past time for Israel, the EU, and Arab states to protect themselves. Obama is seen in the US as having failed in 2009 to get Israel to reverse its west bank policies & most in the US see that as the last straw; Israel is increasingly seen as an unreliable ally whose antagonistic behavior must not be allowed to push the US into another quagmire the US can't afford. This is part of the slow tectonic shift in world leadership that is occurring

I have few advise to Israeilies... Since Israel is the Nuclear threat to Middle East and the whole world, we need some sort of alternative to balance the power in Middle East , so Israelis will give up the Idea of dominating the region and the whole world. Therefor there is no better candidate then Iran in the whole region,to be that alternative, since Arab countries are not even capable of defending themselves , let alone defending the region.Israel should accept Iran as a Nuclear Power of the region and there is no way around that..!Now if you think you've got the bulls to attack Iran, Go ahead and try it..! But remember IRAN is not anything like Arab countries like Iraq. So make No mistake, because attacking Iran equals the disappearance of Israeli from face of the Earth, and I am sure you don't want that..!

Your supreme arrogance is showing. Who has armed whom? How much has the US armed Israel? Does Israel have nuclear weapons, nuclear subs, and the most modern military machine? Why don't you have Israel discard its nuclear bombs, disband the illegal settlements and end the illegal occupation, then we can talk. Until then please quit buying off the US Congress, recall AIPAC to Israel to where it belongs (part of your spy and propaganda machine) and then do whatever it is that you seem to want to do: have perpetual war. Oh, and by the way: please, please refuse any further aid from the US, as you seem not to need us anymore.

However much Western politicians like to pretend the contrary, Iran CANNOT be prevented from getting the bomb with any military action short of full-scale invasion, which would make the Iraq war look like a picnic by comparison and can only be contemplated by insane persons. But how about trying for a GRAND BARGAIN where Israel gave up its nukes and witdrew to its internationally recognised borders???

Israel threats to attack Iran by military force nearly every single day. That sense of HAPPY KILLING is frightening the world. There never ever had been a communique that Israel would abandon its own nukes if Iran takes down its own nuclear projects. Why hadn t been there any sanctions against Israel while that nation developed its own nukes?? BTW: By focussing on the issue of Iranian nukes the jewish population is deflected from most important real problems of their own country.

The Gang of Six made an offer to Iran: ship us all your uranium, and we'll give you an I.O.U. Iran made the sensible observation that they are giving up something tangible in return for a promise. Iran then made a counter proposal (again, sensibly): we will give up *some* uranium in exchange for *some* fuel rods, and this can continue until *all* the swapping is complete. The Gang of Six told Iran that the original deal is take it or leave it. Iran: Then we'll leave it, because we can make our own, thanks very much. Gang of Six: [Splutter] [Bluster] [Bombast] Israel: [Squeek] [Squeal] [Jabber] Allow me an observation: don't try to bluff the Iranians, coz they ain't playing poker. It looks more like a chess game to me.

IRAN & Sanctions. It simply won't work with that transient regime. They look at the world through another kind of prism. Other means will have to be applied.

gave a qualified and honest evaluation of the situation. What needed are smart power and MAD. The mullahs are not weary of life.

Obama was elected to end the war but he is sent more troops to Afghanastan. He was elected to close Guatanamo, but that is not going to happen.

China's hold on the US is more imagined than real. Most of their Treasuries are shorter-dated issues which means that any decline in price brings in large buyers as Treasury bills pay virtually nothing at the moment. As the Euro declines due to Greece and other EU failures, funds flow into US Treasuries for safety. Additionally, the US would love to place tariffs or restrictions on Chinese goods sold into the US to create the opportunity for the US to re-build and to re-employ its manufacturing industries. Protectionism is still alive and well, it is good domestic politics.

MPatel #10 is right. Only a nuclear free M.East can solve the problem. Iran is very vulnerable: surrounded by nuclear states (Russia, many surrounding countries with US troops, Israel, Pakistan) and thereby threatened, just as it was by chemical weapons of Sadam. It will see own nukes as only defense to prevent attacks on their country. Showing Iran as a threat to Israel is therefore turning things upside down. Besides, Iran has never theatened physical destruction of Israel, like many people say and has been maliciously translated. Ahmedinejad has said that this very Zionist regime (suppressing Arabs) should come to an end. That is just like the "regime change" that the US has threatened for several countries.

"We are taking upon ourselves a task that is bigger than us... the State of Israel should not ? be the flag-bearer of the entire Western world in the face of the Iranian threat." And, he reminds we with strong opinions on such matters, "I'm not some passer-by ... I've filled a few positions that give me a different level of information to the average person." Two successive American presidents have sought to set Israel up as the military bite to the feeble US sanctions bark. By invading Iraq the US set the stage for the Iranian threat. The cleanup job is not for Israel, but for the US. Yes, as the US constantly reminds the world, Iran is an *existential threat for Israel.* But an even greater threat is isolation by the entire world for causing the oil to stop flowing, for tipping the world from the Bush Great Recession into, if Israel agrees to the American script for her, the Israel Great Depression. Israel is not Americas stooge. Dont agree to be her shaheed!

There has never been a doubt that the US position of dependence on sanctions would never work. According to a recent NY Times article, "the list of [Iranian] sanctions is [already] six pages long. But none have accomplished the central goal." Not surprising since, the article continues, "North Korea, Cuba and Myanmar have been economically isolated for decades, with little effect." No, the real reason is that the US has been squirming out of a new ME confrontation since the problem rose for Bush in Iraq. According to a senior White House official, "This [sanctions policy] is about driving them back to negotiations, "because the real goal here is to avoid war.? But if war is an extension of diplomacy, what is diplomacy without the threat of war? Dan Halutz, former IAF commander is not just an outsider to IDF decision-making. When asked about Israeli [political] leaders' vows to "take care" of the perceived [Iranian] threat, the former IDF Ramat Kal said,

They will have moved so close that sooner or later the ability and the opportunity to complete what they had started will present itself. From Israel's point of view and probably from the US point of view as well, the mullahs have to be seriously taken down a peg. and they need to be seen to be taken down a peg. Iran sponsors most of the terrorism in the world. They need to be defanged.

It is wrong to suggest that the road to a solution re Iran's nuclear program has to involve the palestinian issue.It's exactly the other way round: Iran is fueling the anti-peace front led by Syria, hamas and hizbollah. There can be no peace in the ME, as long as Iran can go ahead with its nuclear program.Obama is a weak amateur who has no clue. He is the biggest stumbling block for peace in the ME.From the moment Iran gets the bomb, it doesn't even have to use it: it only has to threaten to use it, e.g. in case of a conventional war between Israel and its neighbors.The West cannot count on the Iranian opposition. It's simply too weak.Either Obama wakes up from his naive ineptitude, or ISrael - again - will have to do the job of saving the world from an irresponsible regime.The world shouted when Israel attacked the Iraqi nuclear reactor. They will do the same in ths case. Let them. Better the world shouting, than an Iranian nuclear missile hitting Israel.

The only way Iran can be pressurized is to make Middle East free of Nuclear wepons. Is the so called world community ready to do so? Do they have political and moral courage to do so? If yes the Middle East will be hevan on earth and if not be face the reality.

To add to my previous comment, beyond sanctions, what would you have Mr. Obama do? Tough talk is nice, until someone calls you on it. Then you better be prepared to back it up with something more than hot air. Let me remind you that the first Nuclear power to emerge out of Mr. Bush's "Axis of Evil" was North Korea, and they went nuclear under Bush's nose - not Obama's. So much for the power of hot air.

IMO All of the sanctions on Earth will not deter Iran's regime. North Korea couldn't be much more isolated than it already is, yet, that isolation hasn't deterred Kim's regime from its nuclear ambitions. And in all probability, China (and others) will simply increase their business with Iran to offset any of Iran's losses from the West. Even if Russia agrees to sanctions, it won't matter.

The weakness that Obama is showing toward Israel has implications for America's global leadership role. The World community must speak to the Americans about this, and instead of focusing on shadow diplomacy, should try to determine if and how the U.S. intends to lead a comprehensive process leading to a solution. Without genuine American determination, there is no prospect of preventing Israel from aggravating the standing of the U.S. among the nations of the World even more.

C·mon Chris, You state, "Israel and Israelis pontificating from the sidelines are irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things". Actually, Chris you have made a point. For Iran will not attack you or Switzerland. However, they have this dangerous attitude, mainly due to religious fanaticism and belief that they will become a ME Superpower. Few, if any, actually understand the current regime. What we do know, is that the people suffer, hence the Green Revolution, that faces imprisonment,torture and death by hanging. If sanctions of any manner cannot be imposed, that is, against the Revolutionary Guards and their ilk. I am afraid that a nuclear armed Iran, in the hands of the above group would constitute a major threat to all those in the Gulf. Forget about Israel. Israel can take care of itself. As shown in the past...and present. Get my drift, dude.!

Cipora shalom, As usual to the point. The Persian Regime is not Arab. The Gulf States know that they are a target. For they cannot retaliate, unlike Israel. Which, in this case would release a devastating strike that would cause the final and definite downfall of Mr.Ahmadinejad and his jolly men. Maybe, the people of Iran are well aware of said situation. They seek a better life. Above all FREEDOM from this despotic regime. Shavua tov.

is to address the concerns of Russia and China in the region. It is no longer possible to go to China and Russia and ask that sanctions be imposed on Iran just because the west wants them imposed. International diplomacy means a bit of give and take. The days post collapse of the iron curtain are over, and the days when the US could demand of China or ignored are also over. China literally owns the United States. Israel and Israelis pontificating from the sidelines are irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things.

for Egypt and Saudi Arabia are needed urgently. This will provide balance against Iran, Israel and give a good chance for the Saudi peace plan. You see peace is done between equals. Not between strong and weak.

Your lack of map reading skills makes you a bad navigator. Iran borders Afghanistan and Iraq, not Israel. The Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf are another way of getting into Iran and so is the Caspian sea. Iran also borders Turkey and, if I remember rightly, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Free the people, death to the murderers! The blood of the martyrs will not be forgotten.

"so you want arab support," says so-called american. the arabs are on the front line facing iran, or have you forgotten. the united states is arming the gulf states with anti-missile weapons systems and training their forces in their use. the arabs have bought huge quantities of weapons, including fighter planes. it is obvious that the road to teheran goes through the persian gulf.

Quid pro quo. So you want the Arab support. Why should they agree? When Israel was bombing Lebanese civilians, US planes were rearming ISrael. So we think the Arabs are stupid and forgetful. Think again.

.. first to pressure Israel to vacate Arab lands after 43 years of occupation and cannot raise the heat accordingly on Israel for that that same reason.

Of course, there is no chance at all. Obama was elected to end the war, not to expand it. It would take far more than Israeli dramatics to change Obamas mind.