Perhaps the correct option would rather be to open up relations with Iran and remove most of the reason for Ahmadinejad's anti-US rhetoric from under him. After all, before Iran was idiotically declared a member of the 'Axis of Evil' the pro-US opposition was very strong in Iran. Sanctions and war will only give Ahmadinejad more power and respect in Iran --as they did for Hussein in Iraq--, while hurting only the population which will only see it as an act of agression against their nation.

Wow, what a sense of deja vu.

Now all of a sudden the Iranian regime is the most brutal in history. I thought Saddam won the auction for that tag...

There is no doubt that Iran's regime has been and still is brutal. But lets not forget that it holds fairly open elections and as Leanne points out there is a fairly strong resistance movement. A movement that was severely dealt a blow when, as Simon points out, the US decided to put Iran on it's hit list. No Iranian wants to see the quagmire in Iraq happen in their own backyard.

Of course, Leanne can talk about 'people power' as much as she likes. It is a term that somehow makes resistance seem heroic and valiant. It dresses up what are often bloody and violent combats as though they were some utopian activity. Very simple for someone sitting in an armchair to talk about.

Then there is the problem of who to back. Leanne covers her tracks nicely by discrediting the Human Rights Watch report before it can even be raised in relation PMOI. I mean surely if the FBI and US State department have discredited it, then it must not be true. It's not as if either of those organisations has ever committed or supported abuses of human rights, particularly when the "national interest" is at stake.

Err-- yeah, I realise that's roughly what your saying... too much coffee to read or write sanely just now.

“Dr Leanne Piggott is a lecturer in the Discipline of Government and International Relations at The University Of Sydney.”

Wow a PhD in illusional stupidity. Discipline of government, when has any body seen that, except their discipline to themselves and their friends, like Ms Piggot.

This is typical of the so called educated, repeating negative history again. 40 years ago it was Vietnam who was the evil ones, they lost that one. Then Iraq, their losing that one too. They want to arm radical militants, just like they did in most countries that have turned on them in the end.

Can you blame the Iranians for preparing to defend themselves with nuclear arms, when the US has been getting closer and closer to either bombing them or invading. The problem is that the US is running out of troops and support, so their only option is nuclear. That way they don't commit US citizens to another unwinnable war, as it will be over in a day, so they think.

There is nothing that can be done, the US is determined to gain control of all the major oil resources of the world at any cost, as without it, they are doomed. The only reason the US hasn't attacked Syria, is because they don't have large supplies of oil. But that will change once they bang Iran. Note no thought of attacking Nth Korea, who now has a large arsenal, no oil there.

I don't even think that the Iranians would make a pre-emptive strike on anyone, knowing what the retaliation would be. Thats why the US wants to take them over now before they are capable of defending themselves.

The US imports more than 60% of its oil, and is 13th on oil reserves. Interestingly, Canada appears to have the 2nd largest reserves and is currently in a situation that see's increasing pressure from islamic and US influences trying to move Canada their way. Thats according to my Canadian friends

Just ignore the typical anti Western rants above Leanne; some would not realize it until the bomb had landed in a certain part of their body.
I have had some communications with friends (English speaking) in Iran, the most astonishing thing is, and they are more westernized than some of the clowns here.
It is common amongst most Iranians that they need to destroy the Regime of their Nation, contry to some belief, the Greater part of the population still link their heritage to pre Islamic times. Islam to them is perhaps what Stalin was to Russia. But for the threat of death. Much is the same throughout that region, even in tribal areas they practice religious heritage of Zoroastrianism, etc with the obvious Islamic outer dress and slant.
Mary Boyce is the authority on that subject.
And if you ever get the chance. Obtain a copy of: “In Search of Zarathustra”, by Paul Kriwaczec. That fills in some of the gaps.
The Iranian people are indeed in big trouble, but they do not want western Help to end their Occupation, they are more than adamant about that, they will achieve it by their own means and in time. Like Poland, one of the more reasonable and good friends of the West and undoubtedly once the curse is removed from Iran, They to will become great allies and friends. God knows, they want it.
The realization of nuclear devices in the hands of the Mad Mullahs who worship death, even the staunchest pacifist must admit something must be done.
In that place “Ahura Mazda” lives and Zarathustra is strong, very strong.
Saudi Arabia is the cruxt of the problem.

Congratulations to Leanne for an objective statement on this country. It is all too easy to make armchair assessments from a position of cynicism of knowing better. Go to Iran and feel the country. Speak to its people and see the way the regime is not representative of its people.

Iran is a country where a Guardian Council of mullahs vets aspiring politicians and rejects those in any way tagged as reformist.

Where the media is tightly controlled satellite TV is limited to inane, feel good channels and as the people put it to you “We have freedom of speech in this country until we speak”.

Where police, ostensibly there to protect crime, are in excessive numbers around Tehran’s city squares where embarrassing public demonstrations have been held against the regime.

Where as a visitor, one is struck by the number of people who express their oppression and, if not speaking English, make the sign of the mullah (a swirl around the top of the head to indicate the turban) and follow it with a thumbs down. Just look at the footwear of the women below their imposed chadors.

Walk with a local Iranian and watch their discomfort in walking with a foreigner (and find out what happens to an employee of a government agency who does).

The Iranian people reacted to the regime of the Pahlavi’s (yes it was US backed etc) and welcomed in Khomeini only to discover a worse oppression. Today, with its oil wealth, it is a poor country.

Iran is oppressed by any measure and its “nuclear research” in context of its oil wealth and low economic standing, must be seen with scepticism. The West’s response is being selectively fed through its controlled media and used to underpin its regime. Iran’s economic plight will be externalised, a ploy used by the likes of Mugabe, Dr Mahatir, Sukarno to Hitler.

I feel sorry for the delightful well-educated people of Iran without access to free media and free representation