I refer to the letter A nuclear Iran must be prevented . I disagree with this. The Malaysian government should continue its neutral policy towards Iran's nuclear power ambitions.

The recent visit by Iranian President Ahmadenijad is in Malaysia's best interest. Now that the visit is over, I hope the Malaysian government will not go around harassing PAS members just to prove to the US that it is still dedicated to the "war on terror".

Will Iran's nuclear plans encourage other countries like Saudi Arabia to do the same? At a recent OIC meeting, the president of Iran and king of Saudi Arabia were seen together in a cordial and friendly manner. Iran has offered nuclear technology to Arab states meaning that Iran has no bad feelings towards its neighbours, which is why these neighbours do not feel the need to go nuclear as well.

I believe neither sanctions nor war is an option to be considered against Iran. If the US places sanctions or attacks Iran, then it is the US which is the threat to everyone else because they are proven as warmongers, unlike Iran, which has never invaded another country.

Finally, Iran suffered during Saddam Hussein's rule of Iraq. In 1983, Saddam used toxic blister mustard gas killing thousands of Iranians. In 1984, he used tabun, a nerve agent, killing 5,000. In 1988, Saddam used sarin and cyanide against the people of Halabja killing 5,000 civillians.

But Iran did not respond in kind. The Iranian people have seen firsthand the horrible results of weapons of mass destruction and thus will be reluctant to use them. The people of Iran are fed up of wars especially after the 10-year war with Saddam Hussein.

If there are hostilities between Iran and the West, one thing is sure - it will not be Iran which will fire the first shot. War is not an option as it kills thousands of innocent women and children even if they were never the intended target. There is no distinction between intentionally shooting someone or firing in error. Both are cold blooded murder.

Neither are sanctions an option because we saw what happened in Iraq where babies died due to a lack of antibiotics, vaccines and baby formulas.