Editor's note: After International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report on Nov. 8 accusing Iran of conducting activities aimed at developing nuclear weapons, tensions surrounding Iran reaches new heights. While stricter sanctions seem inevitable, we can neither rule out the possibility that the West might resort to force. [Poll] Will Iran be attacked this year?
China.org.cn presents two opposing points of view.
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Research fellow at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. |
Research fellow at the Chahar Institute. |
Research fellow at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.? |
Tensions surrounding Iran on the verge of fission |
Iran's nuclear pursuit is a complicated geopolitical issue with global implications, and it is premature to seriously consider military solutions. More>> |
With troops stationed in Iraq, Kuwait, Persian Gulf, Turkey and Afghanistan, the U.S. has long been tactically ready for potential strike against Iran.?More>> |
Attitudes from different parties
UN chief calls for diplomatic solution to nuclear standoff with Iran? |
?"The secretary-general reiterates his belief that a negotiated rather than a military solution is the only way to resolve this issue," Martin Nesirky, the UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing on Nov. 10. |
The U.S.: looking at ways to impose additional pressure on Iran? |
"As we move forward, we're going to consult and certainly look at ways to impose additional pressure on Iran," said U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner at a regular briefing on Nov. 9, a day after the release of the IAEA report.? |
?Iran will respond "powerfully" to any possible attack |
"The enemies, especially the United States and the Zionist regime (of Israel) should know that Iran does not invade any country, but will respond to any aggression (on the Islamic Republic) and even to any threats (to the country) powerfully," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Nov. 10.? |
China: sanctions no solution to Iran nuclear issue |
"We, as always, believe that dialogue and cooperation are the only effective approaches for properly resolving the Iran nuclear issue. Imposing pressure and sanctions cannot fundamentally resolve the issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing on Nov. 10.? |
Russia to prevent military action against Iran |
Russia would call on each side to show restraint and not to impose new sanctions against Iran. "Military operations against Iran would only lead to serious consequences. Russia should try every effort to push the talks back to the right track," Konstantin Kosachev, head of State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee said on Nov. 10.? |