Iran recently announced it will resume production of centrifuges capable of enriching uranium for power plants. Or nuclear weapons.

Earlier suspension of centrifuge production resulted from some European nations offering to provide such materials for power plants. Then the International Atomic Energy Agency added requirements for continuing inspections and return of the depleted uranium after use. Iran apparently decided, “Enough already.”

Now we want to turn the issue over to the Security Council. (Remember the last time we did that?)

Israel, a nuclear power, says it “won’t tolerate” Iran’s producing nuclear weapons. India, Pakistan and China have nuclear weapons. North Korea may have two or four or six – and counting. Our negotiations with the Soviet Union (after the Cold War ended) for mutual reduction of nuclear-bomb stockpiles fell through. So we still have our 6,000.

One can begin to understand why Iran may be feeling a bit nervous.

The notion that Iran would aid al-Qaida is absurd. Iran isn’t an Arab country. It has a different history and culture. And bin Laden’s Wahabi fundamentalism would be abhorrent to Iran, the heart of Shia Islam.

Since President Reagan’s deal to pay Iranians to send arms to the Contras, and the release of our embassy hostages in Tehran, we’ve had no direct relations with Iran. And there are no vital U.S. interests there. Certainly none at risk.

Why are we involving ourselves now when our plate is full with Iraq and Afghanistan? The “axis of evil” mindset?

Dorothy E. Prince, Auburn