As it appeared in the Los Angeles Times
Tuesday, April 3, 2007

The abduction of the British sailors may well have been designed by the Iranian regime to help bolster support among Iranians for the regime's nuclear ambitions by misleading the public to believe that its borders are not respected by others. Public support has been waning for Iran's nuclear ambitions for several reasons, in part because Iran's money could be better spent on social programs. Further, the Iranian people do not want to continue down the road of global isolation, which creates further economic hardship.

The Iranian regime's claims that its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes must not be believed when it has repeatedly stated its desire to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.

YOSEF COHEN

Holon, Israel