Amir, Cincinnati, USA

Iranians discuss their country's nuclear programme and the international stand-off over the issue.

Age: 35 Occupation: Project manager Location: Cincinnati, USA Main page

As an Iranian living abroad I feel the international community has been too soft on the regime.

Many nations have effectively supported the clerics by continuing to trade with Iran. Countries in the EU like France and Germany are some of Iran's biggest trading partners.

Iran needs nuclear power. But this has nothing to do with pride. The country lacks the technology to refine oil. It needs alternative sources to provide power for its 70 million people.

I'm not sure they have the capability to make nuclear weapons. But I don't trust the current regime and its religious leaders. They are still a menace to their people and the rest of the world - not least via their terrorist proxies Hamas and Hezbollah.

Countries around the world must finally decide if they really want to isolate the regime or not. They should place sanctions on Iran.

Sanctions may hit the ordinary people. But the people are already suffering at the hands of the regime. Further sanctions may be enough to push more people onto the streets and help end this murderous government.

The unrest and demonstrations after the rigged election clearly show that most people are dissatisfied with the regime.

The missile tests show the regime is scared by these divisions. They are trying to provoke some sort of international confrontation in the hope of rallying the nation behind the government.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version