A call for caution amid Israel’s claims on Iran

in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The notion that Iran has persisted with nuclear research into either civilian or military applications doesn’t seem like an unreasonable assumption.

Without maintaining the potential to mobilize in its own defense, what insurance does Iran have that it won’t be attacked and regime-changed, as we’ve seen in Iraq, Libya and Ukraine? Tough guys like Bolton and Netanyahu are constantly threatening Iran. Nuclear potential means respect.

Why is there so much more interest in Iranian nuclear capabilities than those of Saudi Arabia? Experts have told me that Saudi Arabia could order up a nuclear bomb overnight from the nuclear program it has long sponsored in Pakistan, but the only thing preventing it from doing so is the threat of ruining the Saudi relationship with the West.

Why does Israel get a pass? Just because it’s an ally of the West?

There are at least six countries — those that signed the nuclear agreement — with a vested interest in scrutinizing Iran to ensure that it holds up its end of the deal. Even as Trump has gone wobbly over the agreement, his objections have nothing to do with the nuclear aspect of it. Trump has expressed reluctance to interfere in the Middle East and has objected to the deal’s failure to address Iran’s ballistic missile potential.

Trump must decide by May 12 whether to continue to waive sanctions against Iran as part of the deal. With that deadline looming, suddenly Netanyahu pops up with a presentation that seems tailormade for Trump and for maximum manipulation of the president and the general public. Iran should respond with its own presentation on Israel’s nuclear program. Perhaps we can make this into a global series: “Finking on my enemy.”

We’re still waiting for Netanyahu to publish the supporting documentation on which his presentation was based. In the meantime, let’s hope Trump and other Western leader exercise skepticism and caution in light of attempts to manipulate public perception and encourage more war in the Middle East.