Iran has tested Western resolve in other, blunter ways. It has breached its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and made a mockery of inspections. It supplied weapons to Shia militias in Iraq and the Taliban in Afghanistan. It kidnapped 15 British sailors last year and has harassed American warships in the Straits of Hormuz. In July it tested missiles capable of hitting India and Europe. It routinely announces that Israel should be “wiped off the map”. All at no cost – Iran gets away with it.
http://www.standpointmag.co.uk/taxonomy/term/16/364