Iran can only be emboldened by the West’s timid response to belligerence

SIR – The West’s cowardice in refusing to confront Iran is shameful (Letters, April 20). Mealy-mouthed words from President Biden and Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, will encourage not only Iran but also all of its proxies, who wage war on its behalf.

Unless we stand up to Iran now and destroy its nuclear development sites, we will be staring down the barrel of another major world war.

Major Mike Mckone (retd)

Kirby Stephen, Cumbria

SIR – I will vote for any party that pledges substantially to increase expenditure on our national security.

An existential threat could come at any time from the Iranian ayatollahs, who aren’t motivated by reason but by religious fanaticism, or from Vladimir Putin. Both could be prompted to bomb us with rockets, drones or worse, as Britain is seen as a leading supporter of their alleged enemies.

For years we have concentrated taxpayer or borrowed cash on welfare, health, the environment and a vast list of non-essentials. Now is the time to get serious – and spending priorities must change at once.

We need to build up our Armed Forces. And where is our “iron dome” of protection over the skies of our major cities and the sites of key services?

Tom Benyon

Bladon, Oxfordshire