www.silverguide.site –

Nesrine Malik is correct in highlighting the differences between the US and Iran in their understanding of conflict as a means to an end (Trump’s chaotic war on Iran has dragged into its sixth week because he is fighting an adversary he doesn’t understand, 6 April). However, she fails to outline the distinctly different ends that the two protagonists believe in.

The US has since 1945 represented the west’s vision of wealth, influence and opportunity based on material ownership and thus power. Iran as a state since 1979 has built a regime based on a creed enmeshed in an ideology that is dogmatically enforced. The US especially, but also, to only a slightly lesser degree, the west, worships powerful figures and lavish riches. Iran and several non-state groups place single-minded adherence to cause and obedience as a power beyond the west’s comprehension.

Therefore what we now have in the Middle East is an attempt by the US, egged on by Israel, attempting to exterminate an ideology through the destruction of people and materials. However, ideology can only be defeated when confronted with ideas and beliefs that have greater resonance and are based on sound ethics.

If we believe in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as set out in 1948, we have to stop the US and Israel.
Lt Col (retd) Rob Symonds
Finstock, Oxfordshire

• Nesrine Malik is right to say that Donald Trump does not understand Iran’s leaders, but I think she misses a key reason. Iran’s leaders act on religious and national principles. These are not nice, liberal principles. But they are principles. Trump does not understand them because he has no principles. Nothing for which he would sacrifice himself or even his money. This makes him blind to the motives of his adversaries. No wonder he’s wrecking the world economy.
David Flint
London

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.