Dealing with Iran

Re “Confronting Iran,” Opinion, April 15

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) might want to wake up. We don’t need to rely on our intelligence to be right. Every day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is telling us his country is enriching uranium and wants to annihilate Israel and the Anglo-Saxons (e.g. us). I believe him.

One question, senator: Is it all right to respond after Israel is wiped off the map, or should we go to the United Nations first?

STEVEN LACHMAN

La Quinta

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While Feinstein is right in urging that this administration seek a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, she is not forthright about the source of the problem. Nowhere does she mention that Iran, a signatory of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, might reasonably wish to protect itself against the militaristic Israeli state, which has nuclear weapons has never signed the treaty and is thus not subject to the same standards of inspection as participants are.

The only workable solution to nuclear arms in the Middle East is a regional treaty that would level the playing field, with all parties subject to the same restrictions and international oversight. To achieve such a solution, however, supporters of Israel such as Feinstein have to come clean about its nuclear arsenal and assume an even-handed position with both countries.

MIRIAM M. REIK

New York

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How ironic to see Feinstein write a column on the avoidance of a confrontation between Iran and the United States. Feinstein warns us to avoid the mistake of the Iraq war -- a war that she voted for, against the wishes of her constituents.

Perhaps it should be the people of California writing an article telling her to avoid the mistake she made in the U.S.-Iraqi war.

JOHN A HAAG III

Long Beach

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Why is President Bush escalating his rhetoric about Iran right now? Experts agree that Iran is five to 10 years away from producing a nuclear bomb, if that is its goal. There is only a short period until the next election at home, however, and Republicans stand to lose control of Congress because of Bush’s unpopularity. Would the Bush administration purposely inflame tensions to heighten the president’s popularity before an election? I’m afraid the answer is yes.

CHARLES MARK-WALKER

North Hills, Calif.

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How dare Iran attempt to defend itself against our threat of using nuclear weapons against it?

GERTA FARBER

Berkeley

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Re “Messianic Fervor Grows Among Iran’s Shiites,” April 15

The article on Iranian messianism suggests that some Westerners are worried Iranians may be irrational. So, are Bush’s messianism and his desire to nuke Iran more rational? I am more worried about Bush’s rationalism than about Iran’s threat.

DONALD M. LOWE

Professor Emeritus of History

San Francisco State University