Iran's Dangerous Politics

Riots over newspaper cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed have left Western embassies and businesses in several countries in ruins. President George W. Bush has condemned the violence, while urging the media to be responsible in exercising its right to freedom of the press.
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being incited by governments: “Iran and Syria,” she said “have gone out of their way to inflame sentiments and to use this to their own purposes.” Ms. Rice suggested that Iran may be trying to deflect growing international pressure over its nuclear program.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has referred its concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions to the United Nations Security Council. That referral could lead to sanctions against Iran’s clerical regime.

How close is Iran to having the bomb? How serious a threat would that be? And will the protests over offensive cartoons make countries less willing to bring full pressure to bear on Iran? We ask our guests:

Ilan Berman, Vice President for Policy at the American Foreign Policy Council.

David Albright, President, Institute for Science and International Security.

Alireza Nourizadeh, director of the Center for Arab-Iranian Studies.

On the Line --- VOA