Israel is right to take Iranian nuclear threat seriously

Iran has enough highly enriched uranium for 10 nuclear weapons, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran is ruled by the fanatical ravings of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As your editorial makes clear, Israel had little choice other than to deny him nuclear weapons at any cost to defend its citizens (“A painful toll, but dialogue won’t stop nuclear warheads”, 16/6).

Israel won’t stop its campaign until Iran accepts that no fuel for reactors can be produced in Iran. Anthony Albanese said he wants the issue resolved through dialogue. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “alarmed” by the possible risk of further escalation and urged restraint. But as Neville Chamberlain found, not taking seriously the fanatics who threaten you, to avoid confronting them, seldom ends well.

Anthony Bergin, Reid, ACT

With acute insight, eminent historian Niall Ferguson presents how Benjamin Netanyahu’s unprecedented military assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities is geo-strategically part of a global Cold War II (“Finally, the West strikes its first blow of Cold War II”, 16/6).

He sees the combined might of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran pitted against the US-led West as not only defining the parameters of this new Cold War but “the US and its principal Middle Eastern ally have now taken a vital step toward restoring the credibility of the West”.

Despite Ferguson’s optimism, however, the final outcome of Cold War II will not only be decided by this proxy battle in Iran but also in Ukraine and possibly in Taiwan, each of which can potentially turn nuclear.

This means there can still be no future guarantee that Cold War II will be free of the use of nuclear weapons as was fortuitous in Cold War I.

Vincent Zankin, Rivett, ACT

In constantly aiming its barbs against Israel, the UN is not even aware how much it owes to Israel. In almost succeeding to produce nuclear bombs, the ayatollahs of Iran would not only have attempted to bomb Israel out of existence but also would not have hesitated to use nuclear blackmail to force non-Islamic countries to convert to Islam.

Andrew Sholl, Townsville, Qld

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine aims to erase Ukraine and impose Russian control. Iran’s nuclear ambitions have one purpose: to obliterate Israel and kill its Jewish citizens. Both regimes deliberately target civilians (“Israel’s pain as Tehran’s missiles hit civilian targets”, 16/6).

In contrast, Ukraine and Israel strike military and economic targets, including weapons sites and terrorist leaders. If there’s morality in war, they should be applauded. Iran and Russia should be condemned, ostracised and defeated. In a civilised world, there can be no place for genocidal tyrants. Yet the UN remains silent. Why?

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Alexander Downer’s article clearly sets out what is occurring in the Middle East (“Only a ‘diplomatic child’ could question Israel’s action against Iran”, 16/6). His previous senior roles in our general government make his current comments very meaningful and explicit. Hopefully Anthony Albanese and his government take his experience to mind in their approach to what is now occurring.

John Houghton, The Gap, Qld

No previous prime minister has had so much reporting on such a delayed and inconsequential meeting. Greg Sheridan and Alexander Downer give us the sobering facts. Both Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong have respond inanely to the totally justified war between Iran and Israel. Iran’s allies, including Russia, China and North Korea, envy, despise and seek to eliminate the US. Although Donald Trump refuses to condemn Vladimir Putin, US bombers could assist in targeting Iran’s nuclear sites. Unlike the Prime Minister and Penny Wong, Trump gets the big picture.

We should take seriously what Iran’s Islamist extremists say and write. Our government can still grow up to praise and thank Israel for its skill in fighting for the free world. In his article Chris Mitchell exposes how leftist media is misreporting facts about the riots in California (“Journalism 101 a casualty of the LA riots”, 16/6). This same media misinformation war also has rekindled global anti-Semitism that blinds childlike critics of both the Gaza war and now this conflict between Iran and Israel.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA