Give Ahmadinejad way to save face, exit

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has painted himself into a corner. He knows he's losing the battle of the sanctions, but for his political survival, he can't cave in to the United States and allow inspections.

The sanctions are finally working now that China and Russia are on board. Russia recently canceled a huge arms deal with Iran that included state-of-the-art A-300 anti-aircraft missile systems that Iran was counting on to shoot down attacking U.S and Israeli fighter/bombers.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former Iran president and the third-most powerful ayatollah in the Grand Council, said the sanctions were hurting Iran's economy.

We need to give Ahmadinejad a face-saving way out. Russia should be brought in as the main negotiator calling for Iran to allow full U.N. inspectors to prove Iran's contention that its nuclear program is peaceful so sanctions can be lifted and arms shipments from Russia can resume.

Ahmadinejad can then declare a victory in getting resumed arms shipments from Russia and China to fight Israel and the United States.

William Peterson

USMC, retired

North Liberty