In line with allegations of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and fuelling the crisis in Iraq, the question for this month’s is:

Does Iran represent a credible threat to international security?

Iran could pose a threat to international security because it was only 27 years ago that they went through an unstable and bloody period. The United States has accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons; however Iran says its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had hidden a uranium enrichment programme for 18 years. Iran also recently admitted that it had received a black-market document on the construction of a nuclear device from Pakistan.

Furthermore the IAEA says that Iran failed to provide answers about its overall activities. It said it could come to no final judgment as to whether Iran had peaceful intentions or not.

President Ahmadinejad says Iran has an 'inalienable right' to produce nuclear fuel, however, in a country whose recent history is dominated by war and dictatorship, it must be questioned whether it can be trusted to produce nuclear power. With such ambiguity and secrecy coming from Iran, it is not surprising that Western powers are suspicious of Iran’s activities and see it as a threat to international security. Sharmin Islam, UK

''...even if it did develop such weapons, I don't think Iran would 'play against the rules' by actually using them: it would just be one more player in the whole 'dissuasion' system."

I believe Iran is a credible, but not a fundamental threat to international security. It is obvious that to have nuclear weapons in the hands of a fundamentalist regime, ruled over by a violent populist, is dangerous, to the region first of all. However, I don't think any real threat can exist without the US wanting it to, or at least not wanting to react. North Korea could have been saved from its regime long ago, had the international community really cared. Considering the fact that such high petroleum interests are at stake, I think the US would be quick to react if any serious threat came up, as they don't even need any actual threats to intervene. Plus, Iran's having the atomic bomb wouldn't make me more afraid than the current amount of nuclear weapons already existing... Finally, even if it did develop such weapons, I don't think Iran would 'play against the rules' by actually using them: it would just be one more player in the whole 'dissuasion' system. This could bring back an Arab power to counterbalance Israel in the Middle East, which wouldn't be that negative in my opinion. Araceli, France

'...the international community should bet for freedom and let Iranians decide about their own energetic future.'

I definitely don't think that Iran represents a credible international threat. Every country has (or should have) the right to access nuclear technology for civil use and all the noise that it is being made about the iraninan nuclear is another US campaign to try to get control of the area.

But the iranian issue is itself much deeper: much stress it is put in personal freedom and we are forgetting about the freedom of Nations. If one country is not able to develop an internal energetic policy or technology freely, there is something very wrong. That's why I think that the international community should bet for freedom and let iranians decide about their own energetic future.

It would be dramatic for the world that negative actions are taken on such a fake argument. The error was already made in Iraq. Citizens of Europe, citizens of the world: let's prevent it from happening again! Andres, Spain

"...why should I believe that they are building mass destructive weapons? Do you remember Iraq?"

Well, Iran represents a credible threat to Portugal... but I believe that our Portuguese football team will win the match with Iran during World Cup in Germany :) Talking more seriously about the topic of this month, I do not believe that Iran represents a credible threat to international security. Of course I don't feel very comfortable when I see news describing the nuclear power of in Iran. But why should I believe that they are building mass destructive weapons? Do you remember Iraq? Did they find weapons? Iran is the second episode! Then they will find another country and so on. I think that USA has several internal problems and they need to attack someone else just for entertainment! Reason?! Maybe oil...Pedro, Portugal

''Iran may not have the ability to officially declare war to its western enemies but its means are sufficient enough to threaten them and the entire world."

It is broadely alleged that since Iran is not a well-organised country up to now it does not have the potential to attack west world. Partly this is true but consideration should be given to some important points.

First of all, terrorism is Islamists' strongest means against the american and european imperialism. Everybody remembers the bloody attacks in New York, London and Madrid. Unarguably, it is almost impossible even for the most technologically advanced armies to prevent the so-called 'kamikazi' from attacking as their religious fanatism makes them not hesitate to do anything.This fanatism in combination with the acquisition of nuclear guns renders Iran a serious threat to the world. Their hatred towards their enemies may lead them use nuclear guns, ignoring the consequences.

Yet Iran has another 'gun'; since it has a great proportion of the world's oil resources they may either prevent Europe and America from using them or even blow them up! The latter would be a real catastrophe- petrol is precious to the society!

To sum up,Iran may not have the ability to officially declare war to its western enemies but its means are sufficient enough to threaten them and the entire world. Therefore, they should be regarded as a real menace. All we can do is hope for world peace...
Eleni, Greece

'‘I do not want a repetition of what happened in Iraq."

I prefer to believe that everybody is innocent unless a guilt is proven. It is the same for countries. We should be careful that our opinion of a country is not based on subjective thoughts and political motives but on the contrary it should be based on proven facts. At the moment, I believe that Iran is investing in nuclear technology for energy production and I do not see them as a big threat for international security.

I do not want a repetition of what happened in Iraq. As you remember, one strong reason to enter Iraq was the claim of nuclear weapons but later on nothing was found there. Now Iraq is in chaos although Americans say that they brought democracy.

I do not want the Middle East to drift into chaos based on wrong international policies because this will give only harm to people in the region. Selen, Turkey

"With such ambiguity and secrecy coming from Iran, it is not surprising that Western powers are suspicious of Iran’s activities and see it as a threat to international security."