The news that Iran now has enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb is a reminder that at some point soon—maybe even before the next election—the moment of decision on Iran will be reached. But listening to the British public debate you’d be blissfully unaware of this. When was the last time you heard Brown, Cameron, Miliband or Hague give a speech on Iran which went beyond the usual platitudes?
It’s obvious why our politicians are so reluctant to talk about Iran: there are no votes in it and, realistically, no good options. But Iran going nuclear would be a transformative event. The balance of power in the Middle East would shift dramatically, Iran would have the freedom to act pretty much as it wants and a whole host of countries in that stregically volatile region would set about securing their own bomb (expect Saudi Arabia to buy one off the shelf from Pakistan as soon as Iran crosses the line). It is an issue on which politicians should be prepared to lead a debate. Without one this country is not going to be ready for the decision that it will soon have to make.
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