The West must not hesitate to defend Israel against Iranian aggression

SIR – Saddam Hussein’s “elite” Republican Guards fled when faced with a superior opponent.

Vladimir Putin’s forces have faltered, in part because of poor maintenance.

Now Iran’s attack on Israel has been thwarted by Western defences.

There is a lesson here. Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, should have our utmost and unstinting support (report, April 15). John Rowley

Great Ayton, North Yorkshire

SIR – I am struggling to think of another country that, when subjected to an attack on the scale of the one Iran launched on Israel, has been asked to sit back and relax. Richard Rose

London NW4

SIR – Iran’s decision to launch more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel was the final proof of this regime’s unrelenting hostility, aggression and lawlessness. It was therefore right that Britain joined forces with the United States, France and Jordan to shoot down the barrage. However, our Government must go further. It is time to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is responsible for arming and training terror groups, and targeting the interests of Israel, Saudi Arabia and the US.

It is also time to cement plans for dealing with Iran’s nuclear weapons project – which, if ever realised, would profoundly destabilise the region. History teaches us that appeasing violent regimes only emboldens them in the long term. Attempts to appease the Islamic republic have yielded disastrous outcomes, and it is now necessary to change course. Dr Jeremy Havardi

Director, B’nai B’rith UK Bureau of International Affairs Pinner, Middlesex

SIR – Israel has the right to defend itself, but perhaps it could show strength through restraint. That would speak louder than further action against Iran. Ruth Nares

Lewes, East Sussex

SIR – Captain Peter Newton (Letters, April 15) needs to consider the bigger picture. Sadly, he may be correct that the actions of the RAF will increase the threat to British shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but that threat has been there for many years. The Royal Navy has had an enduring presence in the Gulf and, as part of Combined Task Force 152, established in 2004, is there to protect merchant shipping.

If the RAF Typhoons had not engaged the Iranian drones, the risks to Britain in general would have been higher. In fact, their actions may have helped to reduce tensions – given that, had a significant number of drones and missiles hit Israel, it would have had little option but to launch a direct attack against Iran. Commander James Cohen RN (retd)

Brimpton, Berkshire