Recent developments in the past few days indicate that western nations are beginning to ratchet up their opposition to the government of Iran. Firstly, US intelligence reports say Iran has the capability of launching an attack of "scores or hundreds of missiles" against most of Western Europe. It cited reports that Tehran posed a mounting threat given its arsenal of short- and medium-range missiles and had prompted the US to overhaul its own missile defence plans.
Secondly, a global poll from the Pew Research Centre indicated that the majority polled in many western and some Muslim countries favoured military action against Tehran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Americans, not surprisingly, are highly aggressive when it comes to using military force against Iran, the poll says, with 66 per cent in the US supporting the option. The French also aggressively support military action, though in Germany, Spain and Britain fewer believe in the use of force. In the Muslim world, 55 per cent of Egyptians support military action, compared to 53 per cent in Jordan and 44 per cent in Lebanon.
Pakistanis, though, largely support Iran's right to acquire nuclear capabilities.
These two developments merit caution, firstly because the US intelligence reports were doctored when it came to information on Saddam Hussain's weapons of mass destruction programme, and secondly because any opinion poll is subjective to criteria such as size of sample, wording of questions and methodology.
If there is a lesson to be drawn, it is that western nations are becoming increasingly frustrated with Tehran's actions and words, and patience is wearing thin.
Increased sanctions will not bring results from Iran, and history has clearly shown that sanctions do not work.
The only way is negotiation. Diplomatic engagement is the path forward — not spurious polls nor US intelligence reports.
