Britain and Iran: a war of words

Re “Iranian leader accuses Britain of arrogance,” April 1

If Britain believes that it can peacefully negotiate the release of its sailors, then it is crazier than Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. To peacefully gain their release, Britain must negotiate with a logical and rational leader, two qualities Ahmadinejad lacks.

Britain and the U.S. cannot concede to this lunatic and remove the U.N. sanctions against his nuclear program in exchange for the lives of these British sailors. Instead, Britain and the U.S. must demand the sailors’ quick release.

HELEN SELLERY

Gardena

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The abduction of the British sailors may well have been designed by the Iranian regime to help bolster support among Iranians for the regime’s nuclear ambitions by misleading the public to believe that its borders are not respected by others. Public support has been waning for Iran’s nuclear ambitions for several reasons, in part because Iran’s money could be better spent on social programs. Further, the Iranian people do not want to continue down the road of global isolation, which creates further economic hardship.

The Iranian regime’s claims that its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes must not be believed when it has repeatedly stated its desire to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.

YOSEF COHEN

Holon, Israel

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Re “Nice mess, Mr. Blair,” Opinion, April 1

If diplomacy fails, it’s time for Britain to call in the cards. Saudi Arabia should threaten to dramatically lower the price of oil, which would wreck Iran’s economy and foment the ouster of the volatile Iranian president.The mere threat by the Sunni oil sheiks will do more to secure the release of the British sailors from the Shiite clerics than waves of cruise missiles.

This is an opportune time for the Saudi royal family to exercise its economic clout and prove its friendship with Britain -- its Desert Storm ally and protector.

DAN PIECORA

Kirkland, Wash.

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Niall Ferguson’s column reeks of anti-Iran bias. Adopting the much-controverted British version of facts about the detained sailors, he does not even bother mentioning that, in 2004, a similar incident took place, and Iran released the British sailors after London apologized.

Iran has formally demanded a written guarantee from Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government that there be no more incursions into Iran’s territorial waters, and it has been rudely rebuffed.

Iran exposes Britain’s arrogance and callous disregard for the rights of other nations.

KAVEH L. AFRASIABI

Cambridge, Mass.