Letters: Don’t shut this window on Iran

Re “Iran agrees to nuclear limits,” Nov. 24

No one disagrees that, should Iran fail to meet its obligations under the interim nuclear deal, tougher sanctions should come as a consequence. Why, then, are some members of Congress so adamant about enacting tougher sanctions before a fuller compromise is set in place?

For the first time in decades, the United States and its allies are closer than ever to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and thus avoiding an arms race in the Middle East. The window to solve this problem diplomatically is now open, and should Congress choose to act otherwise, the world may miss out on a historic opportunity to move the Middle East closer to peace and security.

Christian Arana

Van Nuys

Secretary of State John F. Kerry should be ashamed of the so-called agreement he negotiated with Iran. Trusting the Iranians on anything, much less nuclear disarmament, is a tragic mistake.

The fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia are aligned in their views on Iran’s nuclear program is all you need to know about how the people who live in that part of the world see this agreement. It’s another American sellout of our friends to appease our enemies, compliments of President Obama.

Obama, Kerry and all those who support this ridiculous agreement should attend history classes to learn about World War II. Following appeasement, the war came anyway, which happens when you try to appease evil.

Sid Bayside

Cypress

The temporary deal with Iran, which involves other nations, has implications for U.S. military power. It is time for the U.S. to curb its appetite for having the world’s most powerful armed forces. We simply cannot afford it.

In 2011, we spent more than $660 billion on our military, more than six times what China spent, and China’s economy is expanding at a far greater rate than ours. Plus, one of the biggest factors in our national debt is the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Let us keep the lid on Iran, but let’s not do it by ourselves. We should direct the president to do everything short of appeasement to keep us out of another major war.

Lou Rosen

Pacific Palisades

You can’t trust any country that’s run by mullahs. When, and only when, the educated class rises up and takes control away from the religious hard-liners will it be possible to strike a deal with Iran that has any hope of being honored.

If I were in charge, I would continue to squeeze Iran until its leaders open their society and let the rest of the world in.

Irwin Spector

Studio City

I’m glad we didn’t let Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objections deter us from finding a way to negotiate with Iran. Now, why can’t we exhibit that same strength of character against those who continue to support the indisputably failed embargo with Cuba and finally start working on a way to end it?

Elise Edmisson

Pasadena

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