Iran’s motives are clear

Now that the Iranian government has taken a clear stand — in effect ignoring the international community and all agreements — it’s time for a resolution on the nuclear question. The only issue left for the international community to decide is which course of action to initiate.

More diplomacy, sanctions or other nonmilitary measures will, at this point, only fail. The Iranian regime has prepared for most conceivable outcomes. One example: the agreement between Venezuela and Iran that has Iran receiving 20,000 barrels of petrol daily. This agreement was forged in September in preparation for possible sanctions against Iran by the international community.

The Iranian leadership, known for its extremist ideology, has the world on edge. The recent seizure of a ship by the Israeli military revealed a cargo of arms — apparently bound for the terrorist group Hezbollah. The shipment was found to have originated in Iran, again reaffirming the worst fears of many.

Iran has already made notable advancements in long-range ballistic missile technology. Time is running out for the international community. Iran continues to stall. Tehran’s motive is clear: the development of nuclear weapons.

James W. Litsey, Evansville, Indiana