Iranian leaders love nothing better than criticizing the United States and its policies. In their lexicon we are known as “the Great Satan,” exceeding in vitriolic and hatred even Israel, known as the “the Little Satan.” Unfortunately, Iran’s actions have not been limited to mere words.

The most obvious and immediate threat is Tehran’s effort to develop nuclear weapons. The Iranians made a mockery out of the so-called negotiations with France, Germany and England, which was intended to reach a compromise on this issue. Recently, they have spurned overtures from Russia and China attempting to reach a compromise. Tehran is committed to developing nuclear weapons. The sooner we recognize that they will not deviate from this course, the better off we will be. Once they have these weapons in hand, they will pose an increased threat.

At the same time, the hand of Iran is visible in trouble spots throughout the Middle East. In Iraq, evidence continues to mount that the Iranians are fueling the insurgency with support for their Shiite religious compatriots. Tehran will do anything it can to derail the United States’ objective of a secular, democratic Iraq. For Iran, there is only one solution to the Iraqi quagmire. That is a Shiite controlled fundamentalist state. The second Islamic Republic in the Middle East. The Iranian leaders will do whatever it takes to achieve this objective, including fomenting a civil war in Iraq.

Moving west, the Iranians have funded and supported Hamas, adding valuable assistance as this terrorist organization achieved its surprising victory in the recent election. Again, Tehran is working diligently to damage hopes. This time, of those who dream of a secular Palestinian state which could coexist peacefully with Israel. If Western money is withdrawn from the Palestinians, we can expect Iran to step in and supply some of the shortfall from oil revenues.

In Lebanon, Iran’s support for Hezbollah has been well documented. For many years, the Syrians were able to maintain control over Hezbollah and its influence in war torn Lebanon. As the Syrians have been ousted from that country for their violent excesses against Lebanon’s leadership, the void is not being filled by secular, democratic Lebanese. It is being filled by the militant Hezbollah. Again the Iranian goal is the same. A fundamentalist Islamic state in that country. What all these situations have in common is Tehran’s desire to spread its antidemocratic brand of Islamic fundamentalism throughout the entire Middle East. The Iranian leadership would like to make the area into “a Shiite crescent,” Jordan’s King Abdullah warned last year. The risk to other Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia is clear.

As these developments have occurred, the United States has been unable to mount a coherent forceful policy against Tehran. We have recognized the threat. But we have been uncertain what to do.

The time is ripe for the United States to work with France, Germany and England to take a strong approach against Iran. As the Europeans look at the map and take into account the range of missiles being developed by Tehran, they have begun to realize that those missiles will reach into Western Europe. At the same time Iran is encouraging civil unrest by militant Muslims in Western European countries such as the riots in France. The day may not be far off when Iran will threaten to use its missiles in support of the fundamentalists in those Western European countries. This threat is now being perceived in Paris, Berlin and London.

Working with our three allies in Western Europe, the United States must take the lead in fashioning a realistic and tough policy against Iran. No option should be rejected. including a bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. The clock is moving. We must not be complacent.

Yes, we should talk with Iran in response to their request. But we should not yield an inch, even if they threaten to play the oil card. We should not even entertain a Faustian offer for their cooperation in Iraq in return for removing road blocks for their development of nuclear weapons.