U.S. meddling only makes Iran stronger

Re “Iran hostage crisis, take 2,” Opinion, Aug. 23

A. Yasmine Rassam correctly points out that the U.S. attack on Iraq and Israel’s incursion into Lebanon have redounded to Iran’s benefit. Iran’s influence in the Middle East and in the Muslim world is at its absolute peak, and within Iran the most conservative forces are stronger than they’ve been since the Ayatollah Khomeini’s death.

America’s intervention in the internal affairs of Iran since the 1950s, and the Bush administration’s unceasing public threats of regime change, continue to undermine the efforts of moderate Iranian elements who want to reengage with the United States.

Our ongoing presence in Iraq, and our failure to pressure Israel to create a Palestinian state, have generated further mistrust and enmity in Iran and the Middle East.

Until we acknowledge that we can’t counter Iran’s growing influence without changing U.S. government behavior, we will never be able to regain the trust and goodwill in Iran and the region that make real security possible.

GARLAND AND FARROKH ALLEN

Santa Monica

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Rassam’s demand that we stay in Iraq to check Iran’s growing power is the most ludicrous reason I’ve heard yet for continuing this misbegotten mission.

I hope for a democratic outcome (or three) in Iraq as much as anybody else. But if Rassam’s top priority is finding an Iraqi leader who will use overwhelming military prowess to keep Sunnis and Shiites in line and simultaneously serve as the “first line of defense” against Iran, maybe her best bet is not the U.S. Army serving as human shields for a beleaguered democratic government. Maybe she’s looking for Saddam Hussein. I know where she can find him.

JONATHAN CUMMINGS

Westlake Village