U.S. Actions in Persian Gulf

To me, the knocking down in the Persian Gulf of two Iranian oil platforms, as well as a number of warships and gunboats by the overwhelming armada of the United States was far short of a victory as some hard-liners in the U.S. Administration with a heart full of hatred for Tehran’s regime have tried to describe (Part I, April 19).

In fact, the unequal confrontation of a superpower with a wartorn country such as Iran proves nothing but it is a defeat in winning the hearts of a nation--a practice that Americans have always been keen to achieve.

Less than two years ago, there were cakes and candies for rapprochement with Iran, and today there are rockets and explosives to aggravate hostilities.

Who on earth can ever prove that the mine that hit an American frigate a few days earlier triggering such an extreme response was planted by Iranians after all? Who in the world can totally discard the possibility of a plot being designed by one of Iran’s numerous foes in the region in order to push the U.S. into action?

By taking these facts into account, one can easily conclude that the U.S. reaction was completely out of proportion and unjustified. It is never expected that a superpower will run out of nerves and patience.

In my opinion, the U.S. attack in the Persian Gulf not only damaged some Iranian platforms and ships, but also wounded a nation’s heart--a wound that may not heal again in a foreseeable future.

FARROKH JAVID

Glendale