Why would I condemn them, Marcus? But I don't praise them either. If you want to make sense of it you must see it from their position as well as the west's.

Hanging peole from Cranes in public and executing children and you wouldn't condem them what would it take Yorker??

It's awful what they do Marcus,, and what many countries around the world also do.... The electric chair,, leathal injection, hands cut off for stealing, stoned for having an affair etc etc.... It's a way of life in these countries who use these methods of punishment.... to most of us it's barbaric,, but because it's about Iran at the momment it seems highlighted more....

I agree all are awful, I don't belive in Capital punishment in any country, would much prefer it if we had mandatory life imprisoment for murder here. What goes on in many of these countries is barbaric not only do you have to kill or maim them, but you have to do it publically as well as a signal to everyone else that is what will happen to you if you step out of line. Are the leaders of this country really someone we could trust not to use a nuclear bomb, a few years ago I would never have belived someone could steer a passenger plane into a building.

I haven't heard you condemn Israel yet, marcus.

Re Iran I have only heard about hanging from cranes from you. Have you got a link to somewhere reliable?

Watching the news tonight, just sabre rattling or not,, Iran doesn't seem like a country seeking friends or peace... The USA won't feel intimidated by todays chirade,,, just making it easier for them to get more u.s. public opinion behind them... Israel I believe is close, and small enough country, to be worried.. Other than using nukes of some kind, as a first strike option, I can't see how they can protect themselves, without very heavy loses to the people and the country....I hope sense prevails by all..

All this fuss, and there's no evidence that Iran (a) has nukes or (b) actually intends to have nukes. Is everyone insisting that no country can develop even a civil nuclear programme without the US's express say-so, and that unless they like your face and you're 'one of them' you won't get their gracious nod of approval?

Nuke or no nuke Yorker the usa still believes they had some involvement in 911, and had them on there rogue states, list even before that.. all this is a build up to a confrontation
they always intended. hate the yanks and all their foreign policies.. but they put there own safety first, whoever that means destroying.... maybe they believe in kill or be killed.

They told the world Al-Qaeda were behind 9-11 but that doesn't stand up. They invent any old b*ll*x to provide an excuse for their otherwise inexcusable behaviour.

morning Yorker.. I must sound very pro usa.... and suppose I am if for only for the reason that I would trust my freedom in their hands,,,,, by that, I mean live my life as I wish,,,, than any of these other countries such as Iran... would allow me..... Have proper democracy in every country and we could all live in peace....No nukes...terrorists, and madmen to unstable the world....every country would put them down, before they had a chance to spread their hatred.

UTOPIA, I know, and won't and can't be achieved.... so for that reason I have to choose 2nd best with all its faults..

Well, there are no nukes in Iran. And they once had a proper democracy under Mossadeq but that didn't suit the US and Britain who engineered a coup and re-installed the Shah... The people got shot of him in 1979 and set up a less-than-perfect democracy but better than the cruel dictatorship the west saddled them with.

I wouldn't recommend a corrupt democracy like the US to anyone, nor our own flawed system that's overdue for serious revision.

But I agree with you: we should continue to strive for Utopia even if it's out of reach.

There are No NUKES YET IN IRAN yorker.

In a country with almost limestless supplies of oil why would they need nuclear power?

To sell it Marcus in Euros - a brilliant plan. The ruling American junta are obsessed by the need for cheap oil - but they can get it cheap anywhere, for now. As my American friend said on 'Digg' 'we invaded Iraq not for oil, but to ensure it remains cheap'.

Next stop Iran!

No point in any oil if Iran nuke the region scrubsupwell.

See it from another angle as well Iran are only builing nukes because oil gives them the money to do so and only doing so because they want to impose their fascist version of Islam throughout the region and in order that they can control th worlds oil.

Maybe I am wrong and they only do want nuclear power but I'd prefer if we didn't take the chance, a country like Iran with nukes is hell for us all.

Perhaps they've got the 'green' message.

Another amazing assertion.

Wow-eee! Do the Saudis know this?

Ahermajad yeah beleives in halting global warming that's a good one ha ha that's a good one you are a real comedian.

Ok Iran with nukes is a wonderful world for us all then Yorker.

No Saudi's are not keen on Iran with nukes, I guarntee it was discussed today.

It wasn't a question of whether the Saudis are "keen on Iran with nukes", you said Iran wanted to control the world's oil by spreading their version of Islam through the region... who's the comedian?

Anyway, Iran is a long way from getting 'nukes' even if they establish a civil nuclear industry. What are you getting all het up about?

So what's their motive then? what are they up to?

OneMarcus . I would say that, provided they are not trying to build nuclear bombs they are actually entitled to do anything they like.

One of the major troubles with oil based economies ids that there isn't a huge amount of stimulation for your scientists and technical experts to work on..

Whereas Nuclear physics is a growing field. Iran has, I believe, some fine universities and very good scientists who want challenges. Also maybe Iran doesn't necessarily want to burn it's own "Stock in trade".


Anyway, provided we can get assurance that they are not working on refining reactor based fuels into weapons grade plutonium then they should be left alone.

If there is real proof of more insidious motives then let us see it. So far all we have had is innuendo and propaganda I think.

A very important point, jonjii. As I and others have pointed out elsewhere on this forum, Saudi is running out of oil and Iran doesn't want to face the same prospect. It makes sense to eke out its stocks and reserves by developing nuclear energy. Good housekeeping, that's all.