Iran’s nuclear goals must be met with realism

Re “Latest last chance on Iran,” editorial, May 3

The Times seems to suggest that as an incentive for Iran to fall in line with U.S. demands, it may be sufficient to offer normalized diplomatic and trade relations.

What? This is not some high school popularity contest. Iran has the right to develop nuclear technology and will not give it up. Iran also has legitimate security concerns. The sooner the West recognizes these facts, the sooner a meaningful dialogue based on mutual respect can start. Anything else is posturing aimed at finding an excuse for yet another illegal war.

CHRISTIAN HAESEMEYER

Champaign, Ill.

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For all of the anxiety surrounding Iran’s march into the nuclear age, why are we not putting any pressure on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to make his top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, available for questioning by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency?

The bomb-making knowledge that Khan sold to North Korea, Libya and, yes, Iran, can bring death and destruction to millions as well as permanently alter the balance of power.

Does being an ally of this administration give Pakistan a license to kill, or is the potential devastation from this betrayal too much for our leaders to contemplate?

JACKSON BAYLY

Palm Desert