Nuclear weapons - US warning is justified

Yesterday’s warning from President Barack Obama, that America will “do what we must” to deny Iran a nuclear weapon should not be confused with electioneering.

The timing of the statement will not do any harm to President Obama’s re-election hopes but the prospect of Iran having the capability to carry out some of the threats its leaders have made in recent years cannot be countenanced. That kind of action — a nuclear strike on Israel — would turn a world teetering on the brink of economic chaos into something even darker.

Iran cannot be denied nuclear facilities for generating domestic energy but its leaders’ declarations make it impossible for the international community to allow it develop nuclear weapons no matter what mistakes have been made in the past.