The US is up to its old, aggressive tricks again, pushing its European allies to take a hard line on Iran. But this time, Washington looks like it is at least half-right.

The course the Bush administration is advocating on Tehran's nuclear programme - tougher sanctions - may not be to the liking of European ears. But, since the alternative option of military action could ignite the region as a whole, the European Union should listen to what Washington has to say.