Readers React: Don’t delay, deal with Iran

To the editor: Iran has had more than a year to make concessions on its nuclear program, and yet Sven-Eric Fikenscher approves of the extension of talks. In the meantime, Iran has refused to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency in disclosing some “highly suspicious activities that were part of a secret weapons program.” And it’s stonewalled on the number of centrifuges and its use of the heavy water facility. (“Expanding joint plan with Iran on uranium is best course for U.S.,” Op-Ed, Nov. 24)

We must remember that elected officials in democracies often cannot be trusted to keep their promises, while dictators like Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei keep their word. He must be believed when he says, as Fikenscher describes, that Iran needs a nuclear program about 10 times as big as this one.

The Iranians have millenniums of experience with negotiations, and delays demonstrate their Machiavellian intentions. We accept their supposed good intentions and unnecessary delays at our peril.

Jack Salem, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion