Iranians speak out

It's good to see someone has some sense over there in persia. Now if we could somehow ensure they would try and reprocess the spent fuel rods, then perhaps we could come to an understanding.

Some Iranians angry over Hezbollah aid

TEHRAN, July 22 (UPI) -- Some Iranians are worried and angry that their country is too closely tied to Lebanon's Hezbollah, The New York Times reports Saturday.

For decades, Iran has been Hezbollah's prime patron, creating a Shiite Muslim militia by supplying it with money and weapons. But now that Hezbollah is in the midst of fighting with Israel, Iranian officials are insisting that they had nothing to do with the events that set off the crisis, the Times said.

Iran fears punishment from United States and Europe, the newspaper reported, but Iranian officials may have a wary eye on their public. In interviews in central Tehran Saturday, person after person said the same thing: Iran should worry about Iran's problems and not be dragged down by others' battles.

The Hezbollah crisis comes at a time of heightened anxiety. Many Iranians are nervous about the potential for sanctions as a result of their nuclear program, the Times said.

However Iranians have rallied for nuclear power, saying that is their inalienable right. And while they are willing to tolerate public isolation, there is far less unity about standing up for Lebanon, many people told the Times.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International