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Iranian voices on missile tests Iranian voices on missile tests
(41 minutes later)
Iranians give their views on their country's testing of a missile which, it is claimed, could reach as far as Israel - and the subsequent international condemnation of the action.Iranians give their views on their country's testing of a missile which, it is claimed, could reach as far as Israel - and the subsequent international condemnation of the action.
DARYOOSH, ENGINEER, 56, TEHRANDARYOOSH, ENGINEER, 56, TEHRAN
The missile tests on Wednesday and Thursday were a reaction to the Israeli military air test [in June].The missile tests on Wednesday and Thursday were a reaction to the Israeli military air test [in June].
The missile tests raised fears that the standoff would lead to conflictThe missile tests raised fears that the standoff would lead to conflict
They were also a reaction to comments from the US Navy commander in the Persian Gulf, who said the Iranians cannot do anything, that we are unable even to close the Straits of Hormuz.They were also a reaction to comments from the US Navy commander in the Persian Gulf, who said the Iranians cannot do anything, that we are unable even to close the Straits of Hormuz.
We paid a lot of attention to these things.We paid a lot of attention to these things.
I do not approve of the testing for two reasons. Firstly, it was bad timing. If our leaders had waited a few more days after the US commander's comments, the tests would not have brought international condemnation on such a scale.I do not approve of the testing for two reasons. Firstly, it was bad timing. If our leaders had waited a few more days after the US commander's comments, the tests would not have brought international condemnation on such a scale.
Secondly, if they had to do these manoeuvres at all, they should have been done with more force and co-ordinated with other action in the Persian Gulf.Secondly, if they had to do these manoeuvres at all, they should have been done with more force and co-ordinated with other action in the Persian Gulf.
Iran is not treated fairly by the international community.Iran is not treated fairly by the international community.
The US has done great damage in Iraq - and yet they say we are the ones who are interfering.The US has done great damage in Iraq - and yet they say we are the ones who are interfering.
On the nuclear issue, they do not have any proof we are developing weapons. This international aggression towards us is simply because they don't like the regime.On the nuclear issue, they do not have any proof we are developing weapons. This international aggression towards us is simply because they don't like the regime.
I am very concerned this might escalate into conflict. I think Israel wants to demonstrate it's the only power in the Middle East - and it will take action to prove it.I am very concerned this might escalate into conflict. I think Israel wants to demonstrate it's the only power in the Middle East - and it will take action to prove it.
The Iranian leadership has chosen its path in domestic and foreign policy - setting us against US hegemony and against an all-powerful Israel.The Iranian leadership has chosen its path in domestic and foreign policy - setting us against US hegemony and against an all-powerful Israel.
If it changes its path, Iran will become the main winner in the Middle East and every other country will become a loser.If it changes its path, Iran will become the main winner in the Middle East and every other country will become a loser.
Dr RAISS DANA, PROFESSOR, TEHRAN UNIVERSITY The missile tests were a direct result of the Israeli military manoeuvre in June. Israel declared it could easily reach Natanz, one of Iran's nuclear plants.Dr RAISS DANA, PROFESSOR, TEHRAN UNIVERSITY The missile tests were a direct result of the Israeli military manoeuvre in June. Israel declared it could easily reach Natanz, one of Iran's nuclear plants.
The Iranian government is by its nature against human rights and democracy, but at the same time, we should be saying in this instance, it was Israel's actions which prompted Iran to do this.The Iranian government is by its nature against human rights and democracy, but at the same time, we should be saying in this instance, it was Israel's actions which prompted Iran to do this.
It is not democratic here. The international policy towards Iran should be directed towards our lack of human rights, and the way Iran treats its people.It is not democratic here. The international policy towards Iran should be directed towards our lack of human rights, and the way Iran treats its people.
But foreign powers are worrying about the nature of the Iranian government and its actions against them, not against its own people.But foreign powers are worrying about the nature of the Iranian government and its actions against them, not against its own people.
The best way to solve all this is the democratisation of Iran. Many people here are ready to accept intervention for democracy.The best way to solve all this is the democratisation of Iran. Many people here are ready to accept intervention for democracy.
But western governments are not ready to do this because they are afraid. They are afraid of the socialist groupings here, which are very powerful.But western governments are not ready to do this because they are afraid. They are afraid of the socialist groupings here, which are very powerful.
HESAM, BUSINESSMAN, TEHRANHESAM, BUSINESSMAN, TEHRAN
I believe the missile tests were a response to what has been said in recent days by western countries. It was a message to the world powers to remember Iran's power.I believe the missile tests were a response to what has been said in recent days by western countries. It was a message to the world powers to remember Iran's power.
I would consider the tests to be OK if they prevent military action being taken against Iran.I would consider the tests to be OK if they prevent military action being taken against Iran.
I do not remember a single time in the past few years when Iran was treated fairly by the international community.I do not remember a single time in the past few years when Iran was treated fairly by the international community.
If Iran's missile tests are a danger for the region, then so are Israel's, and they should be treated the same.If Iran's missile tests are a danger for the region, then so are Israel's, and they should be treated the same.
I think our leadership could have led us to a much better situation than the one we are in right now.I think our leadership could have led us to a much better situation than the one we are in right now.
But I'm not concerned about a war between Iran and Israel, it's not likely to happen.But I'm not concerned about a war between Iran and Israel, it's not likely to happen.
The US is in Afghanistan as well as Iraq and the Persian Gulf - so I think conflict between Iran and the US might be more likely.The US is in Afghanistan as well as Iraq and the Persian Gulf - so I think conflict between Iran and the US might be more likely.
Any military action from Israel would result in a response from Iran on both the US and Israel.Any military action from Israel would result in a response from Iran on both the US and Israel.
I think this is just a seasonal dispute which will fizzle out.I think this is just a seasonal dispute which will fizzle out.
Iran and the five UN security council powers plus Germany have agreed to start negotiations on Iran's nuclear program very soon.Iran and the five UN security council powers plus Germany have agreed to start negotiations on Iran's nuclear program very soon.
I really hope the parties will agree on something workable.I really hope the parties will agree on something workable.
MADJID, 32, ICT CONSULTANT, TEHRAN
Both parties are playing political theatre. They both know that the world's appetite for another challenge in the Middle East is virtually zero.
I am not pleased Iran carried out these tests; I didn't see any new defence capability.
I think the manoeuvre was a part of the Iranian leadership's diplomacy ahead of positive negotiations with the 5+1.
If the international community has any evidence of nuclear weapon activity in Iran, it must show it to the world.
In my opinion actual conflict is not possible, for at least another eight years.
I think the international community, or in fact the G8, is struggling to buy cheap energy and it is using the nuclear threat, climate change and terrorism as diplomatic tools.