How to deal with Iran’s nuclear ambitions

Re “Been there, done that,” Current, April 23

Iran says it has a uranium enrichment facility (allegedly for the purpose of electrical power generation) with thousands of ultracentrifuges. An airstrike on this enrichment factory would be a repeat of Israel’s successful attack on an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. No ground war is needed.

What is the alternative? What kind of world will your grandchildren live in if terrorists are nuking one major city after another and the global economy has collapsed? It would be too late to use Zbigniew Brzezinski’s “nuclear forensics” to determine the guilty party. This is the terrorists’ ultimate goal, while the world dithers over Iran’s intentions.

WILLIAM W. HILDRETH

Pacific Palisades

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Brzezinski says that “deterrence has worked in U.S.-Soviet relations ... and in Indo-Pakistani relations.” Yet he then argues for a “nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East ... after the conclusion of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.” So Israel should dismantle its deterrent capabilities to encourage its enemies, who seek its destruction, to abandon their weapons plans.

Let’s see if I get this: Several poorly armed burglars assemble outside of your house and threaten to wipe you off the face of the Earth, and you are supposed to throw out your weapons, giving them enough time to acquire the weapons capabilities that you are giving up. Let’s not get Hitler angry; that would just strengthen his position. Let’s negotiate and allow time for freedom-loving Germany to ascend to power. Yeah, the Israelis are going to love Brzezinski’s reasoning.

JOE HELFER

Topanga

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Brzezinski’s article is thoughtful, constructive and moderate. As one who lived in Iran from 1947 to 1966, I strongly endorse reasoned and nonconfrontational approaches with that historically magnificent country that currently has unfortunate political leadership.

Most Americans seem to believe that our relationship with Iran began when hostages were held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. We do well, however, to reflect upon the unwise and arrogant overthrow of the government of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953 by the CIA, an act that has poisoned American relations with the entire Middle East ever since.

BILL HOPPER

Duarte