I disagree with many of the assertions made by Ruzbeh Hosseini in his recent opinion column, "International cooperation, attention — not force — needed in Iran" (SN 1/30).

One of the few points on which I agree with Hosseini is his assertion that violent intervention in Iran by the international community would be "disastrous."

However, his column is full of vague references to the "Iranian people," as if it were a homogeneous entity. The fact is that Iranians, like people of all nations, have differences of opinion and that such issues as age, gender, socioeconomic background and regional affiliation play a part in this.

I disagree with Hosseini's assertion that 85 percent of Iranians are not in support of the ruling clergy. In last year's presidential election, 63 percent of Iranian voters cast ballots, which is comparable to the 60 percent turnout in the 2000 U.S. presidential elections.

I disagree with his characterization of Iran as a place where, as he writes, "war … is being waged … and people are dying." I spent five years studying in Iran, and I would characterize it as a peaceful place where, as an American, I was invited into many people's homes and had the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of political opinions.

I would not go so far as to call Iran a place without political tensions, but neither would I go to the other extreme and say that the government is "teetering on the brink."

I urge State News readers to do their own research and not rely on one source.

Ali Beha
Spanish senior