"L.H is spot on to say the NPT is a load of legalese being used as a stick to beat Iran. The invasion of Iraq was,n't sanctioned by the UN, but America and Britain just went ahead and did it anyway and to hell with legal niceities. 'Legality' is a term they use to browbeat the 'other guy' into doing what they want, an excuse to attack him when he doesn't, and something that doesn't apply to oneself, unless it produces the result you want."

Well said, Nickhere. That is exactly my point. Legalities are only quoted by the USA and Britain when they happen to work in their favor. They are ignored and violated when they don't. Same goes for everyone else too. ;-) All governments who are bent on aggression essentially quote various legalities in a completely cynical fashion whenever it is to their advantage to do so...and ignore and violate other legalities when they are to their disadvantage. That is standard behaviour in the business of Realpolitick. Excuses are always made for why it's "okay", but it's just a PR game for the sake of the congregation. One needs to fool one's public into thinking a war is necessary, after all, or morale on the homefront could become a real problem, and could threaten someone's political career.

It's laughable to see some petty and essentially minor technical legality being used to justify a far more serious major illegality...like launching an illegal war of aggression, and that is what Mr Bush and Mr Blair did when they last went to war. I expect they will do it again. I would be quite surprised if they did not.