Iran stand-off - Negotiation preferable to conflict

THE ongoing confrontation between the international community and Iran has accurately been compared with the Cuban Missile Crisis - the world is waiting for someone to blink.

Amid rising tensions over Iran's relentless pursuit of atomic power, oil prices remain at a record high. Iran has much to answer for, but it is equally incontrovertible that tensions have been ratcheted up by a gung-ho US administration. In a nightmare development, US President George W Bush has refused to rule out a nuclear attack, insisting all options were still "on the table" to stop Iran developing atomic weapons.

Significantly, the UN has so far rejected America's call for sanctions, including freezing Iranian assets or curbing visas for its officials. In this nightmare scenario, it is time cooler heads and wiser council prevailed. Negotiation is far preferable to confrontation.